Getting Their Kicks
By Wyatt Earp | March 20, 2011
Kyle’s indoor soccer playoffs began this weekend with a forfeit win yesterday. Yeah, that’s right; the other team just didn’t show up – for a playoff game!
Thus, the Blue Kickers advanced to the semifinals to face the other Philadelphia Soccer Club team, the Union. They faced each other in the first game of the season, and battled to a 1-1 tie. How did today play out? The answer is below the fold.
The game started out well, as Kyle’s team scored early on in the first half. The next ten minutes saw a lot of back and forth play, with no team giving an inch. With about five minutes left in the half, a player from the Union blasted a kick from just inside center court. The ball rose quickly, and Kyle jumped up, raising his hands. The ball sailed over his outstretched fingers and under the crossbar for the goal. The first half ended with a 1-1 tie.
The second half was much like the first. The Blue Kickers had plenty of shots, but the Union goaltender was making a lot of great saves. We needed a break, and we got one midway through the half, when one of our forwards scored from a near impossible angle. He shot along the goal line, and it drifted left and into the net. Blue Kickers 2, Union, 1.
I immediately yelled to Kyle, “Hang tough! No more goals!” With 9 minutes left, the nail-biting started. The winner would be going on to the championship game, and everyone was nervous. Both teams generated scoring chances, and there was still more back and forth. It was a tight game, and we wondered who would make the first mistake.
It was us.
The Union fired a ball toward Kyle, who made the original save. The rebound went to one of his defensemen, who misplayed the ball. As Kyle dove for it, a Union played put it past him for the score. Kyle was devastated, but he was also pissed off. He knew the defenseman made a mistake, and he was hoping it didn’t cost them. Blue Kickers 2, Union 2, with two minutes left in the game.
The Blue Kickers took the tap and drove the ball into their offensive zone. One shot went off a post. Another went into the goaltender’s hands. The pressure was mounting. With about a minute left, Jeff, the kid who scored our first goal, caught a perfect pass in front and fired it past the Union goaltender to take the lead. It was pandemonium on the floor, as the kids went crazy, and Kyle started yelling and jumping up and down. Blue Kickers 3, Union 2.
With a minute left, the Union poured on the pressure. Kyle made some fantastic saves, including a jumping block where he batted the ball off to the side. The Blue Kickers took possession of the ball, got it out of the zone, and heard the sweet sound of the final whistle.
Final Score: Blue Kickers 3, Union 2.
The team rushed the floor, and collected into a circle at mid-court. Kyle, who was one of the first ones there, was surrounded by celebrating teammates. He played well – especially after recovering from dual ear infections this week – but offense won the day today.
The Blue Kickers will be playing in their first-ever title game next Sunday at 12:30pm. We’re not sure yet who we’ll be playing, but the odds are on the other first-place team (and the favorites), the Holy Terrors. Afterward, Kyle and his friend Tristan said they were just happy to be playing in a championship game. I second that emotion, but I also realize that they have a legitimate shot at winning it all.
Topics: Soccer | 12 Comments »
March 20th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Congrats to all of them! Now it becomes a drill of expectation management…
March 20th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Old NFO – Thanks. We’ll have a better idea of their chances when we see who we’re playing. Still don’t know yet. But I truly believe Kyle is the best goalie in the league right now, so if the offense comes through, they can beat anyone.
March 20th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Go Kyle!
March 20th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
WOW!!!!
amazing!
very exciting!
3-2 is still a hell of a defensive game for indoor soccer tho
March 20th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Bob – Hopefully, they’ll get a win next week.
Orchid – I told him afterward, “I can’t take many more games like this. My nerves are shot.”
March 20th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Yay for the Blue Kickers!
(Hope Kyle is feeling better.)
March 20th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
RT – He’s almost 100%. Was a little tired afterward, but otherwise feeling okay.
March 20th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Cool stuff !
Go Blue Kickers !
March 21st, 2011 at 7:16 am
This brings me back. All these great stories of your kids are great for my heart. I called my 26 year old on the phone yesterday after reading this!
Memories are great. Thanks! They grow up so fast!
March 21st, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Congratulations Blue Kickers
March 21st, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Outstanding!
March 21st, 2011 at 9:17 pm
JT – They’re having a great run.
Danny – Too darned fast.
Rick – Thanks.
911 – Yeah, it was cool, and great for them. They worked very hard this year.