Lots of heart shown — on Valentine's Day.
Captain Al has used the phrase "best team effort" a few times over the past two seasons, to summarize an outstanding game. One might wonder if he has a short memory — but it's more likely that we keep raising the bar.
Last year, Young Guns schooled us 6-0, 3-0 and 4-0.
This year, we gave them a scare with our earlier 2-1 loss — but we have been ramping up the level of aggressiveness in our play. That, and our ability to score this year, brought a great result today... against a team that has been unbeatable by Chilliwack teams in the past few years.
1-0 in the first half, with Andrew Overbeek scoring a hard-work goal, moving around the d-man and getting a shot away. (Andrew and Daniel wanted to join the Young Guns this season, but were advised to give us a call. They have certainly helped, both with their speed and skill — and with their commitment to turning up for most of our games.)
Darren Lundgren scored off a pass from his brother, Geoff, to make it 2-0.
Al followed with a long, spinning header off the far post, converting a long free kick by Bruce.
DJ Long followed up with a disallowed goal, then a goal that counted.
Late in the game, Steve jostled with a YG attacker and got the ball off him. I guess the YG player felt a penalty was in order, so he chased Steve down and knocked him down from behind (no call).
Steve jumped up and gave the guy a shove and Bruce and I arrived with the ref to ensure no further action. (Steve doesn't need another yellow.)
The ref gave a tongue-lashing to the YG player, then wheeled around and yelled at Bruce, "And YOU, young man... don't you get involved in that kind of S*&%!"
"It wasn't me!" said Bruce, offended.
"It's okay," I consolled him. "At least he called you 'Young Man.'"
Then the ref found Steve and gave him some heat.
No cards for us. One yellow for them, for early-game beaking. 'Could have had more, especially for the no-call when they reached out and pulled Andrew's shirt on a breakaway.
And now, a few words from Al, who had an outstanding game in midfield:
"I just want to say that today was the most complete team effort that we have put together as Choppers!!!! Every player to a man came prepared and ready to contribute with what I hope will be a trademark for our team for years to come: aggressiveness, skill and heart. We kept our position and poise and finished our chances, with efforts like this there isn't a team in this league that we shouldn't beat. We played to our strengths and used our speed and skill to wear them down and — most important — we won the battles both in the air and 1-on-1. Congratulations, boys, I hope each one of you is as proud of today's effort as I was." |
Feb14,2009Showing 1-16 of 16411 visitsAlbum by Barry StewartPhotos by Barry Stewart |
