FC Aftershock 4: 1 Youngstown Marksmen

As mentioned before in a previous post, Hamburg High School wouldn't put the nets up in time for this game so it was moved to Pioneer High School.

Aftershock show up with 15 and Youngstown after making the 70+ mile drive show up with 13 or 14. Kick off starts at 6:30 with it being slightly cloudy. Aftershock start the first minute shaky but Dan Legge (nice to have him back) collects the ball and calms everyone down. In the 5', Brett Sanders throws the ball into the box where Dan Carnavele touches the ball to Dillon Patterson who slots it into the lower left hand corner. Possession goes back and forth for most of the first half with both teams getting quality looks but nothing to concerning for either goalie. First half comes to an end with Aftershock leading 1 - 0. Second half starts and it looks as though Youngstown has shaken off the rust (since they had off Sunday and this being their first game outdoor together) and apply pressure right away. #99 Colin O'Keefe gave Aftershock problems for the first 2/3s of the game. He received a throw in 40+ yards out, cut down the wing past 3 Aftershock players and played in a perfect cross to a streaking #6 John Wright who hit the ball perfectly off Legge and into the net. Tie game with roughly 35' left to play. Some of the Aftershock players hung their head for a second but then the resiliency of Aftershock took over. The rest of the game was mainly Aftershock pressure. Brian Voit played a through ball to Patterson who held off the defender and beat the goalie. A few minutes later, Joe Cordier played a diagonal ball to Patterson who touched it to Caleb Spaulding who one touched it with his left foot over the goalie to the far side netting. (one of the best goals I have ever seen). The possession went back and forth for a little while. Patterson ran down a ball in the corner, beat the opponent on the baseline and then was taken down in the box. Patterson steps up, places it off the post just past the goalies reach and completes the hattrick. Youngstown applied some pressure towards the end of the game until the final whistles blew. Aftershock 4: 1 Youngstown Marksmen.

Youngstown will become a very tough opponent come August once they get a few games under their belts. Also, #99 is a great player and will be tough to deal with all year. Best of luck to Youngstown during the year (see you 7/24 in league play) and onto the next round for Aftershock!