As everyone arrived on time (thank you to all the parents and fans!), we took the field to play Montclair in our first game.  The boys had not played together as a team since mid November and we were facing Montclair, which always has a well trained program- so it was going to be a challenge.  In the tournament, the games are very short (28 Minutes), so it is definitely important to score first.  The boys came out strong, with a lot of clean passes and strong defense.  However, Montclair was just as solid, turning away a number of our shots and playing a very even match.  About midway through the game we got a nice break away and placed a shot in the upper corner to take a 1-0 lead.  But as we know, with a small field, indoor soccer can change very quickly, so the game was far from over.  With our offense applying the pressure and our defense clearing our zone time after time, our rotation of goal tenders were able to preserve the shutout and earn 3 points in the standings with the 1-0 win.

 

After a short break, we took the field to play Newark, which always seems to field a strong team.  While the teams were very evenly matched, our boys just didn’t play their best game, maybe we’re just not a morning team.  Newark scored first on a defensive lapse in front of our own goal to jump out to a 1-0 lead.  Our offense kept applying pressure with good clean passes, but couldn’t seem to find an open shot.  With about 7 minutes left in the game, Newark picked up another goal on another ball that we left open right in front of our goal and had a big 2-0 lead.  Being down 2-0 in a very short game, it is difficult to come back, but we didn’t give up.  We kept shooting, but unfortunately the Newark defense and goaltenders were up to the task and they came away with a hard fought 2-0 win.

 

After 2 games, we only had 3 points in the standings and needed to win our third game to make it to the championship game, if we lost, we weren’t eliminated but would need help to get into the finals.  So the boys took the field knowing what was at stake, they controlled their own destiny.  With a win, we were almost assured of a chance for a rematch with Newark.  Our third game was against a very familiar opponent, WSC McLean, our crosstown rivals!  The boys came out inspired and really wanted to play well to keep their championship hopes alive.  Right from the start, the offense came out firing.  With a couple of nice rebounds, we jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, and as we know scoring first is one of the keys to winning.  The defense then chipped in and helped protect our zone and made a lot of great clearing kicks.  Unfortunately, WSC McLean converted on a nice pass to cut our lead to 3-1, but we were not going to be denied and got 3 more unanswered goals to win easily by a score of 6-1, earning a berth in the finals and a re-match with Newark. 

 

Besides our 1 game vs. Newark, the defense was outstanding, allowing only 3 goals in our first 3 games, and our offense seemed to have woken up in our game vs. WSC McLean.  So it was on to the finals with the winners going home with trophies and the runner up team going away empty handed.

 

We knew we were going to be for a very tough game vs. Newark, they are not only skillful but can be very physical at times.  Our boys came out with a lot of determination and wanted to avenge their disappointing loss and take the rematch.  The game was very even, with the play going end to end and each time, the defense and goalies were up to the challenge.  We had our chances and so did they, but no one was able to get a clean shot off and the defensive units were in control for both teams.  This game was going to come down to will and determination and whoever scored first.  We caught the first break, with an indirect kick deep in our own defensive zone.  Our defense place a beautiful kick and a nice lead ball, allowing us to score the first goal on a nice breakaway to go up 1-0 about midway through the game.  But Newark came right back just a few minutes later on a nice break away of their own to even the score 1-1.  It seemed like the momentum had now shifted to Newark’s side.  It looked like we caught a break and scored another goal to go up 2-1, but the referee must have had his eyes closed and called it no goal, even though the Newark goalie and ball were clearly in the net.  So it was now a 10 minute game of who ever scored, or we would be faced with a shootout.  As the pressure intensified, our boys remained calm, but Newark seemed to get unraveled and became very physical. They had a player get a yellow card and we went on a 2 minute power play.  Just as the power play expired, we converted on a nice rebound right in front of their goal (and the ref saw this one) to go up 2-1.  Now it was up to the defense and goaltending to preserve the win, which they did convincingly.  The boys had come back and played a near perfect game to earn the championship trophies!

 

It was an exciting day with every player playing exceptionally well.  In the 4 games, we scored 9 goals, by 4 different players and only allowed 4 goals throughout the entire tournament.  The defense and goaltending (and we rotated a number of goalies in net) were outstanding not allowing any of our opponents to take easy shots.  Most of the goals we allowed were by our own mistakes, not because we let our opponents set up.  While the defense was clearing the zone, they  were able to clear it to an open offensive player and we made some beautiful passes to score a number of our goals.

 

Everyone played an important part of the championship and it was a true team "win"!

 

Thank you to all the parents and fans who got up early this morning and not only got the boys to the field on time, but cheered them on during all 4 games!

 

 

Thanks

Tammy and Rich