DEFENSE DOMINATES LOW SCORING WIN
STRETCH RECORD TO 3-0
In a game dominated by defense, the offense did just enough, scoring 4 goals in a tight, well-played game by both sides. The SSL offense actually created many chances, but the Imo's keeper kept them in the game with some huge saves, both on break-aways as well as point blank shots.
In a re-match of the two finalists in last sessions Championship, this outcome & the play of the game, was eerily similar. In the Finals last session, SSL won that match by a score of 4-1. Last nights 4-0 win looked a lot like that game. Great defense, end to end action, physical, excellent play by players on both sides, missed opportunities, but a fun match to watch.
The scoring started with a great run out of the back by defender Sladan Kurtovic. David Hipperson had corralled the ball at midfield, looked up, slotted the ball thru to a streaking Sladan, who made no mistake by striking the ball one-time past the startled Imo's keeper. 1-0 SSL.
David Hipperson then quickly made the score 2-0, finishing on a ball that Edin Coralic, after dribbling in traffic, got to Little Hip for his one-timer. That's the way the 1st half ended, 2-0 SSL, with Little Hip having a hand in both scores. It was a very tight match to that point, & every player knew it would be more of the same in the 2nd. And it was.
The 2nd half was a lot like the 1st. The difference was, the SSL offense picked it up a notch, applying heavy pressure thruout. Other than two or three flurries by the Imo's side, most of the offense was created by SSL. But, you have to tip your cap to the defense on Imo's side. Never wilting under the pressure, they withstood constant attacks, but still kept it tight @ 2-0. Then it was time for the Guillermo Cortez show.
Midway thru the 2nd half of this uncomfortably close game, "G" collected the ball around mid-field, & moved into the offensive end. Getting by the 1st defender & then the 2nd, & not without some friendly "contact", whistled a bomb, again from his patented bad angle, past the Imo's keeper for a 3-0 lead, & a bit more breathing room.
Then, a few minutes later, again on a run 'n gun bullrush, with Little Hip leading the charge, Mike Hogan made a run out of the back to the left corner of the Imo's goal. Hip spied him standing there, wide open, & passed him the ball. At the same time, "G" made a run down the right side, heading for the goal. Hoags spied him, lofted the ball across the top of the box where "G", jumped in the air, got on top of the ball, & rifled a shot into the back of the net, finishing off a beautiful, bang-bang play. Score 4-0, & that's the way it ended, securing 1st place, 3 games into the session.
However, there's still a long way to go in this session, & to a man, it wouldn't surprise any of the SSL players if we were to meet the Imo's side again, in yet another Championship Final!
Scoring for the game: Guillermo Cortez, 2 goals; David Hipperson, 1 goal & 2 helpers; Sladan Kurtovic, 1 goal & Mike Hogan & Edin Coralic, 1 helper each.
Next week we host Freaky Shakra @ 9:05 on field #2. Hope to see you there.
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SOCCER ST. LOUIS STATS
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NAME
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GOALS
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ASSISTS
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POINTS
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GUILLERMO CORTEZ
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5
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4
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14
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DAVID HIPPERSON
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3
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4
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10
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OTTO ETZEL
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3
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2
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8
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SLADAN KURTOVIC
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3
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0
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6
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MICHAEL POROPAT
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1
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3
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5
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JOHNNY PENS
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2
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1
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5
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EDIN CORALIC
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2
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1
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5
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JOE TARTICCHIO
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1
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1
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3
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TONY MEADOWS
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0
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2
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2
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RONNIE ROWDEN
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1
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0
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2
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MIKE HOGAN
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0
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2
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2
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DAVE SHELTON
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0
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1
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1
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CASEY WALSH
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0
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1
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1
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Warning: Your facilities tie breaker rules and rankings may not follow the rules above.
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