Chargers Lose Close Game 2March 4, 2004 – Soccerzone – Portage, MichiganThe Chargers played Arcadia tonight, a team the Chargers had never met before in league play. The Chargers squad came into the game after last week’s loss ready to play. With several Charger team members absent due to spring break, Charger veterans Kevin Tenant (Inbound) and Keith Weitz (Dec Tech) were called up from the men’s team to fill in. Still without goal scorer Marcus Schoenherr, who has been laid up with a badly bruised foot, the Chargers would have to dig deep to stay with the experienced Arcadia team. The Chargers matched up well with the Arcadia team and the game was close and scoreless for the first seven minutes. Leslie Stafford (IPDS) and new Charger Kelly Washburn (Collections) both played well on defense during this time. Arcadia was first to score, however, on a long shot from outside that just got past Charger keeper Dan Graham. The Chargers fought hard to get the equalizer for the next several minutes, but it took the next eleven for an opportunity to arise. With 7:55 remaining in the first half, it was John Marucci (New Product) finding a rebound in front of the Arcadia net and shooting in home. Score: Chargers 1, Arcadia 1. The game continued to be very even until the final minute and a half, when Arcadia scored on another long shot. Arcadia then converted another quick goal just 55 seconds before the half-time whistle. Score at half: Chargers 1, Arcadia 3. The second half began with the Chargers coming out strong. With just a minute gone, Marucci won a loose ball in midfield, dribbled down field and found a wide-open Tenant in front of the Arcadia goal. Tenant powered a volley past the keeper to make it a one-goal game. The game then resumed in the even struggle that depicted most of the first half. Arcadia was having trouble getting the ball down the Charger end for some time. After several minutes Arcadia did find a girl in front of the Charger goal who converted a nice pass into the net. Score: Chargers 2, Arcadia 5. The score remained 2-5 for the next few minutes, until Tenant found a loose ball near the Arcadia goal and shot it past the keeper. The Chargers had again pulled to within two goals now with 12 minutes remaining in the match. Both teams went scoreless for the next eight minutes until Marucci picked up the Chargers fourth goal on a solo effort. There were four minutes remaining and the Chargers were now only down by one goal. The Chargers had a couple of chances that were saved by the Arcadia goalkeeper in the final few minutes, and Arcadia did end up scoring again with only 55 seconds remaining. Final Score: Chargers 4, Arcadia 6. “We played fairly well tonight,” said Marucci, “they knew how to pass the ball and used their own keeper all night. They made us run after them quite a bit to regain possession. We did score some nice goals and everyone seemed to play well. The game could have easily gone our way had we converted a couple more goals. Overall I think we’re improving.” The next Charger’s game will be on Thursday, March 11th at 9:30pm at Soccerzone in Portage. Everyone is invited to come out and cheer on your Chargers. |
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