Ever find yourself on a long distance flight, looking forward to a couple
of glasses of fine cabernet to help you sleep, only to find they are serving
nothing other than tea? Well Dan Seliskar, this report is dedicated to you!
Just print if off and keep it for those special occasions when sleep is
needed – read it a few times and it is sure to help you doze off!
And then we must not forget our Alumni. The Goodales, the Sneezaks (note
the phonic spelling) and in particular the Nytes who returned to Switzerland
to find it is now a big lake with a few snow covered islands in the middle.
We hope you will enjoy reading about the escapades of the intrepid McLean
Ice team on their quest to conquer America (well Virginia anyway….).
With three new team members – Robert, Ryan and Alex our coaches headed
for this tournament wondering how well the new team would perform. They were
not to be disappointed.
Game # 1 McLean Ice vs Newport News FC Riptide
Although there had been a lot of rain that morning, the weather cleared
for the start of the game. The Williamsburg venue is built on a swamp so no
matter what the conditions the grass is short, wet and fast as the boys were
soon to discover.
Ice had a hesitant start but soon found their rhythm and after 5 minutes
Scotty scores with his left foot. Ice are ahead. Riptide fight back but Ice
maintains their defense. The next 10 minutes treat us to a fine game of
soccer with Ice retaining the majority of possession and achieving several
great attacking plays and shots on goal.
Then disaster. Riptide sneak through Ice defense to equalize at 1-1. With
their confidence suddenly shaken Ice are unsure and before they know it
Riptide score a second goal a minute later making it 1-2. Ice continue to be
attacked by Riptide but Robbie Maffei is solid in goal and Riptide just
cannot score.
Then a left footed attempt on goal by Eric looks like it is going wide
but Alex A picks it up and finishes the job to equalise at 2-2. Ice are back
in the game with about 10 minutes of the half left.
Building on their renewed confidence Ice keep up the pressure with a
number of good shots on goal. It is only a matter of time before Phillipe
finds himself in perfect position and with that big foot of his, plants the
ball firmly in the back of the net, 3-2 at half time.
Riptide start strong in the second half, however Ice go on the attack and
with and Matthew Callahan scores, 4-2. Then with Scotty now in goal he gives
a long goal kick. Alex A connects and goes on the break, crosses to Harry in
the center. Harry’s shot is deflected but Robbie Maffei picks it up and
scores, 5-2.
Now this is looking comfortable however Riptide go back on the attack and
score two goals in quick succession, making the score-line 5-4. Ice maintain
their composure to win the game.
If there was any doubt about the team’s ability to score goals this
season, this was quickly dispelled. Throughout the game the boys had at
least 15 shots on goal, all set up with solid team play, and the five boys
scored a goal each!
Game #2 – McLean Ice vs CSSC Shooters
After the success of the first game, including the seamless integration
of the new players into the squad, Ice start strong with a couple of
attempts on goal. However the Shooters soon reveal some fast players and a
break by their #19 is effectively thwarted by Justin’s effective defense.
But then disaster. Ice are penalised for a handball in the penalty area
and Shooters score. Ice are behind 0-1.
Shortly afterwards Ice are awarded a free kick about 15 yards out.
Shooters form a wall and Michael Callahan steps up to shoot, curls it in
perfectly towards the goal hoping to find an Ice forward to finish it off,
however the goalie comes out to intercept, fumbles the ball and Ice score,
1-1 and back in business.
The remainder of the first half becomes a game of attrition. Stephen and
Matt McDonald stay solid in defense. The referee continues to make a series
of controversial decisions.
The game of attrition continues in the second half. Harry and New Alex
come close to scoring narrowly missing a couple of perfect crosses (I can’t
read my own writing so not sure who made the crosses), but that was probably
the most exciting part of this half.
And with about 5 minutes remaining the Shooters break through to score.
The game finishes disappointingly at 1-2. It’s all down to game #3 on
Sunday.
Interlude
The combination of Julie’s absence (as Entertainments Officer) and the
lure of Busch Gardens there is not much to report from a social perspective,
other than everyone seemed to have a good time, whether it was relaxing by
the pool, subjecting themselves to 100 mile an hour death rides on a
roller-coaster, or entering the DarKastle……..
Nor was there a river, raft or rocks for Captain Awad to practice his
navigation skills.
Game #3 – McLean Ice vs ODSC Intimidators (who thinks of these
names??)
Actually the coaches did look pretty intimidating. Sunday is a lot hotter
and so an extra challenge for the boys to keep their energy up.
Ice get an early free kick. Matthew Callahan takes it but just goes wide.
Then the Intimidators make a breakthrough to score, 0-1. Ice are under a
fair amount of pressure until New Alex makes a break and shoots on goal but
the goalies saves.
However in taking the subsequent goal kick, the goalies steps outside the
box! Ice are awarded a free kick. Another chance for Matthew Callahan who
steps up and curls it perfectly into the goal Beckham-style to equalise 1-1.
The euphoria of such a perfect goal had hardly died down when the
Intimidators scored again. Ice are back on the hind foot, 1-2.
Ice play well in the second half but their ability to execute is impaired
with the heat. In the dying minutes of the game Ice launch an attack.
Matthew Callahan boots a high lob from outside the box. With a perfect
trajectory it sails over the goalie’s head and into the back of the net. The
game finishes at 2-2.
Whilst the draw was not enough to secure a place in the playoffs this was
the team’s most successful tournament yet, playing particularly strong
teams, so the boys have a lot to be proud of. And of course every cloud has
a silver lining – an early exit left more time for water parks and scary
rides.
And of course we must not forget
The Supporters. All those siblings that give up their time and cheer the
boys on (well intermittently anyway). In particular I should mention Megan,
who pointed this out to me. Well done all.
