Game 9

Game 9 – 9/25/07
Rebels Rally to Top MICDS 4-2

The Priory J.V. squad took on league rival MICDS on Tuesday afternoon. The Rebels were looking to reaffirm the dominance they displayed earlier in the season in a foul-filled 6-2 victory over the Rams. In the first half, the Rebels displayed their ability to control the ball and they took it to the Rams’ defense. However, the Rams had several talented players up top who lacked neither speed nor size and posed a potent threat to the Rebel net. As the half progressed, it became somewhat unpredictable. The Rebels would have stretches of controlling the ball for several minutes, but then the Rams would spring their forwards on a dangerous counter-attack and the Priory defense would find themselves scrambling to recover. The Priory defense led by sweeper Brandon Wehking (returning from injury) was able to hold off the early MICDS attacks. Finally the Rebels ability to control the ball resulted in points on the board when Gustavo Sanchez played a ball across the box and Sean Lamb stepped up to it on the far post and put it into the empty side of the net. 1-0 Rebels. This early lead was short-lived however. The Rebel defense got a little too relaxed and let a long ball bounce past them and a Rams’ forward ran onto it. In alone on goal, the Rams’ forward managed to sneak the ball past Rebel keeper Steve Hoerr who was left helpless by his defense. 1-1. The teams continued to battle for the remainder of the first half and suddenly the Rebels realized that this wasn’t going to be a 6-2 drubbing of their opponent. In the final minute of the half, the Rebels mounted a final attack on the Rams’ goal. The Rebels managed to work the ball to Tony Cribbin who stood in the top corner of the box. He put a move on a defender, had him beat, but the defender took Tony’s body and forced him to the ground. The Rebels were awarded a penalty kick with 30 seconds remaining in the half, (it was the second PK that Cribbin had earned against the Rams in the season). Sophomore free-kick-specialist James Kopfensteiner stepped up to the penalty spot and beat the goalie with a shot to the bottom right corner of the net. 2-1 Rebels at half.

The second-half was very similar to the first, except the Rams pushed more players forward. This opened up the game for both sides and chances were not hard to come by. The Rebels possessed the ball for the most part but the Rams were always ready to jump on a turnover and start a counter-attack. Eventually, the Rams’ ability to take advantage of Rebel mistakes came into play again. The Rebels failed to fully clear a ball that bounced into the box and a Rams’ forward pounced on the failed clear and put it into the back of the net to tie the game. The Rebels found themselves in an unexpected position: tied with a team they expect to easily handle. The Rebels did not panic though and they continued to work hard for the ball and possess it. Liam Ware spent the afternoon frustrating Ram defenders. The undersized Ware protected the ball so well with his body that the frustrated defenders could only hack at him in desperation. Ware’s play gave the Rebels numerous free-kick opportunities. Finally, with 20 minutes left in the game the Rebels took advantage of a foul on Ware 40 yards from the net. Andrew Erker quickly set the ball and intelligently played a quick restart to James Kopfensteiner who took one touch on the ball and launched a left-footed bomb from 35 yards out. The ball whistled through the air and curved with Beckham-like precision into the top right corner of the net. (Video: It looked like this but James hit it left-footed). With one strike, Kopfensteiner deflated the Rams and dethroned Liam Ware for Goal of the Year. After this goal, MICDS really began to push for the equalizer. However, the Rebels remained calm and dominated play. They stalled every Rams’ attack and found themselves with numerous attacks of their own. The Rebels’ chances kept mounting and finally the Ram defense could hold no more. With poetic redemption, Jack Wegman and Brandon Wehking (both red-carded in the previous MICDS game) were involved in the game-sealing goal. The play started with Doug Hall clearing a ball out of the Rebel zone and it sprang Wegman on a breakaway. Wegman charged into the box with the ball and as he prepared to shoot, he was tripped up from behind. The referee awarded the Rebels a penalty kick. Brandon Wehking, still sporting a cast from his previous clash with the Rams, stepped up to the penalty spot. He struck an un-savable ball into the bottom right corner of the net and put a stamp on the Rebels 4-2 victory.

Goals: Lamb (3), Kopfensteiner 2 (2,3), Wehking (1)

Assists: Sanchez (2), Erker (3)

Game Ball: Kopfensteiner

Up Next: Friday September 28 @ 4:15 @ Principia