A beautiful weather day in Ohio, the Lodi complex looking in fine shape for soccer. We end up playing both games against Cleveland Whitecaps teams, both the U13 and U14 sides. Here are the game recaps:
Game #1: Northern Steel Lancers 5 vs U13 Cleveland Whitecaps 2
We start out sluggishly not putting passes together or winning many 50-50 balls. Whitecaps strike first to go up 1-0.
We start to figure out things when Ethan Richter switches fields from the left to find Bobby McKinney steaking through the center of the Whitecaps defense, he is left one on one with the keeper, who he beats easily and walks the ball into goal. We strike quickly again when Michael Ramirez pounces on a Whitecaps defensive error and rips the ball in the back of the net, we go up 2-1. To end the scoring before half time, Alex Baughman strikes a half volley to the left of the Whitecaps keeper to go up by two goals, 3-1. After half time we extend the lead to 4-1, when Bobby scores off an assist from Jakey Huey. We concede another goal on what looked like an "arm-aided" shot, but no call on the hand ball from the referee, Lancers 4-2. To roundout the scoring, Ryan Hohn does the work to turn provider to Jakey and he scores to make the final talley 5-2.
Game #2: Northern Steel Lancers 0 vs U14 Cleveland Whitecaps 4
A dominant performance by the Cleveland Whitecaps, they controlled play most of the game, switching fields at will and looking dangerous on the counterattack all day long. A tough game in every aspect. |
