Good Day Everyone,
Today the boys played the team from Club Noicattaro. This team had tied Bari the night before and the boys played just amazing. As we arrived to the stadium, it was an older stadium with grass that seemed to suit the boys perfectly. In this game the boys responded with an intensity and drive we didn't have in the first game. They were moving the ball with precision and at a pace that took Noicattaro by surprise. With a fast play style that was created by Trevor Hyman, Dario Garcia and Tony Velazquez playing out of the middle, they created many attacking opportunities through the outside midfielders Chris Constantini and Tristan Thompson. Many chances were created with fast ball movement which eventually led to a pass from Tony Velazquez to Alex Jackson scoring with a right footed first touch goal. Getting that first goal really lifted the spirits of the boys causing them to play with an intensity that kept Noicattaro on their heels. The defending in this game was just spectacular. By switching Corey Schramm from midfield to center-back, with his defensive organizational skills, he lead the way along with Nick Stanley, Michael Grey and Skyler Ibarra to hold a solid and tough back line. Throughout the game the defenders were winning balls out of the air and slide tackling with an aggression that seemed to cause the Italians to dive for calls. Eventually they equalized on a highly questionable PK given by the referee. It was an amazing slide tackle by Corey Schramm as he came across the box to slide tackle and win the ball. Unfortunately the referee bought the dive awarding Noicattaro the PK, ending the first half 1-1.
As the second half began, the scoring chances continued to come with an amazing 30 yard cracker of a shot from Trevor Hyman. His shot knuckled and swerved causing the keeper to perry it away. Another near miss from near post from Andres Roman that rolled within inches from going in for the winner. The incredible defending and wide play continued in the second half as Senna De La Cruz, Gio Partida and Juan Carlos Martinez continued to push for that elusive winning goal. In the last few minutes the boys were able to get what they thought was the winning goal off a nice cross to Chris Costantini who headed it into goal but was called offside. This was another questionable call as the game had no assistant referees to the boys frustration.
In the end it was a wonderfully played game by the boys who impressed the parents and more importantly the Noicattaro team who advanced to the second round with a tie. The Noicattaro coaches and players complimented the boys with their speed, fast pace ball movement and their hard play and tackling. Clearly something that made us all very proud of the boys.