Chargers Overcome in Game 7 VictoryDecember 5, 2003 – Soccerzone – Portage, MichiganThe Chargers played the tough Chummers team tonight, a team they beat earlier in the season 7-5. Both sides knew this would be a hard-fought game where mistakes would cost dearly and the team that stepped up best to the challenge would come away with the win. One could feel the intensity in the air. The first half started with both teams running hard and trying to maintain possessing of the ball. It was apparent that the Chummer team could play well and that solid defense would be needed. Early on Pete Rose (Collections), in goal for the Chargers, was tested and came up with some great saves. Stacie Vezeau (Collections), Ryan Potter (Collections), Leslie Stafford (IPDS), and Kevin Tenant (Inbound) all played tough defense, blocking many shots and hindering the potent Chummer attackers well. The game remained scoreless for the first 11 minutes as both teams battled hard. Chummers were first to score at the 11th minute on a fine shot that was perfectly placed out of the reach of Rose. The Chargers played a goal down until John Marucci (New Product) stole an errant Chummer pass and put a shot past the goalkeeper to tie the game. Three minutes later, with 8:30 left in the half, it was Catie Lewis (Recovery) on a breakaway, shielding the ball away from a fast defender and placing a perfect shot into the Chummer goal. Both teams scrapped hard for the rest of the half without any goals. Score at half: Chargers 3, Chummers 1. The second half began as the first half ended, both teams were running hard and fighting for every loose ball. Six minutes into the second half, a Chummer player made it a one-goal game on a nice bit of footwork and a good shot. Three minutes later it was Marcus Schoenherr (Collections) scoring on a well-taken breakaway and shot. Score with 16 minutes to go: Chargers 4, Chummers 2. The game remained at 4-2 for the next eight minutes, until Schoenherr converted on yet another classic “Garbage Man” loose-ball-in-the-front-of-the-net goal. Marucci added a goal with four and a half minutes to go on a rebound from Schoenherr, and another goal with just two minutes remaining. Final score: Chargers 7, Chummers 2. “The score really doesn’t show how hard a game this was,” said Marucci, “really it was very close until the last eight minutes when they let down a bit. Up until that point it could of gone either way. We played pretty good defense, and Pete was outstanding in goal tonight keeping us in the game more than a few times. Catie scored on a great individual effort, and Marcus put a couple away when we needed them. Everyone hustled and gave a fine effort.” The next Charger’s game will be on Friday, December 12th at 9:30pm at Soccerzone in Portage. Everyone is invited to come out and cheer on your Chargers. |
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