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Freedom Win Patriot Cup 2006!
South Run Park - In a bitterly contested final game versus the Vienna Comets, the Freedom held on to win the championship in penalty kicks, 3-2.
After losing to those same Comets 1-0 (on an own goal) in the first of two games on a modified Sunday schedule, the Freedom won a hard-fought game against the BRYC NV United 1-0, with a goal in the final minute of the contest. By the tie-breaker system in place, the Freedom were then able to move into the championship rematch.
The first-half of the game was nearly all Freedom, eventually going up 4-0 before the Comets put one in right before the half. Oliva (2), Gunner and Alisha all scored, either on their own or from great assists and the Freedom felt very comfortable (maybe too comfortable) going into the second half that the Comets couldn't possibly make up the difference.
The Comets, however, didn't agree with that assessment and came out with renewed energy, intensity, and speed. The Freedom defense was continuously assualted from a variety of great combinations and runs that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Eventually the Comets did make up the difference, evening the score at 4-4 as we headed into overtime.
During both overtimes, either team could have won the game outright but were stymied by great goalkeeping and unlucky shots on both ends. At the end of regulation, the penalty kick shootout was held in near darkness as both teams and keepers tried to get ahead in converted kicks. After 9 of the first 10 kickers were finished, the score was tied 2-2, with only Alisha left to kick. She put in a beautiful shot to the lower left corner beyond the outstretched hands of the diving Comet keeper, finally ending our most draining game to date.
Congratulations girls on playing an exceptional set of games and in perservering in your determination to win the game and the championship. We couldn't ask for a better effort than was given by all. Go Freedom!!
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