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1st Annual "Junior-A" All-Star Challenge!
Westland, MI
Date: June 17, 2006
Location: Hines Park - Merriman Hollow
Conditions: Very Sunny
Game Time Temp: 92 deg.
On a field that just six weeks earlier was quite literally under 3 FEET (that's right feet) of water, All-Star selections from 4 "Junior-A" division squads met for the first Annual C.Y.S.L. All-Star Challenge; pitting East against West. The results were not disappointing.
In the early going, the match shaped-up largely as a defensive battle, with at least 30 of the first 35 minutes remaining scoreless. The lone goal of the half was notched for the "East" squad, and came off the foot of Jessica M. of FBC's "Blaze", with assists credited to David B. of UBFC's "Hornets", and Josh L., also of FBC's "Blaze!"
Returning from the half with a 1 - 0 lead, the East struck early twice more, with both goals being scored by a combo of David B. of UBFC's "Hornets" (both goals), and FBC "Blaze" member - Jessica M., with both assists!
With the East opening up a commanding 3 - 0 lead, the crowd on both sides of allegiance began to grow quiet, and the second half seemed to grow long.
Never quitting, however, the West trickled back into the match with the first successful strike for it's side coming off of the foot of John G. of TC3's "Torpedoes," with an assist from Zach H. of PCN's "Hurricanes!"
The goal seemed to breathe new life into the West squad, and a barrage of shots from the West peppered Josh L. of FBC's "Blaze" - the East squad's second-half keeper.
Consistent and persistent, the West broke through again off of a body shot by Bridget K. of PCN's "Hurricanes" from a cross-goal feed by "Hurricane" team-mate Zach H.! Suddenly the score had arrived at East 3 - West 2!
Not to be outdone, the East squad roared back almost immediately, scoring off of a strong shot by Crystal F. of FBC's "Blaze", with the feed coming from Connor F. of "The Hornets!" The shot was initially stopped by West Keeper - Collin H. of PCN's "Hurricanes," but the strength of the shot burst through, and tallied the East's fourth of the afternoon!
Now well into the second half, things looked bleak for the West, trailing by two.
Collin H., however, had other ideas, trading places with "Hurricanes" and West squad team-mate Gabe O.
With Gabe now in goal, Collin wasted little time in scoring - unassisted - off of a long-high shot from outside the penalty box, beating East keeper Josh L., who had made many impressive saves earlier in the half.
A late match change in keepers was made by Coach Wright of the East squad, replacing FBC's Josh L. with "Hornets" keeper, Zach P. who had worked a shut-out first half.
Calling for substitutions minutes later, coaches were waved-off by the referee, and told that only 30 seconds remained in the match.
Quickly stealing the ball off of an East throw-in from deep in the West's end, the ball was passed quickly to mid-field where, once again Collin H. lofted an amazing shot from just inside the mid-field stripe, that cleared the outstretched hands of East keeper - Zach P., and snuck into the goal just under the cross bar!
15 seconds remaining - Score tied - East 4 - West 4!
Not surprisingly, regulation time ran out quickly after. With excitement and adrenaline pumping, both coaches and game officials agreed to a 5 minute overtime period! The additional period, however, played-out in the afternoon heat, and ended - appropriately - as regulation time had, with a draw.
Final Score of the first C.Y.S.L. "Junior A" All-Star Challenge - East 4 - West 4!!!!
Thank you to all the players, coaches and volunteers for a game and a season that we should not soon forget!
May God Bless all of you this Summer!
In Christ,
Coach Steve
Game Statistics and Summary
1st Half
Scoring
East - Jessica M. - Goal; David B. - Asst.
Keepers
East - Zach P. - 5 saves; 0 Goals Against
West - Andrew H. - 6 saves; 1 Goal Against
Corner Kicks
East - 3
West - 2
2nd Half
Scoring
East - David B. - Goal; Jessica M. - Asst.
East - David B. - Goal; Jessica M. - Asst.
West - Foul - Tripping - Andrew H.
West - John G. - Goal; Zach H. - Asst.
East - Foul - Improper Handling - Keeper - Josh L.
West - Bridgett K. - Goal - Zach H. - Asst.
East - Crystal F. - Goal - Connor F. - Asst.
West - Collin H. - Goal - Unassisted
East - Foul - Jessica M. - Tripping
West - Collin H. - Goal - Unassisted
Keepers
East - Josh L. - 8 Saves; 3 Goals Against
East - Zach P. - 3 Saves; 1 Goal Against
West - Collin H. - 5 Saves; 2 Goals Against
West - Gabe O. - 3 Saves; 1 Goal Against.
Corner Kicks
East - 2
West - 4
Added Time
Scoring
West - Foul - Jed C. - 2 touches on kick.
End.
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