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Above: VC Alum Jeremy Basanese looks for
options
Firecrackers Win in an 11-goal Slugfest
10
May 2005
David
Ahlgren
For the first time that
I can remember, with 10 minutes left in the game, I couldn’t remember
what the score was. Were we tied? Did we have a goal advantage? Just
then Devin Nelson brought down a cross with his chest and ripped a shot
from 20 yards out and hit upper-side netting. That was the goal of the
match, and ultimately the game winner—although Deportivo Nayaros would
continue to fight back.
After starting the
season with a thumping of newcomer Anauhtl 6-0, the Firecrackers
suffered defeat at the hands of Irapuato and Real Espanol. The two
defeats were particularly difficult for the team to take, not because we
didn’t play with heart, nor was the other team better than the
‘Crackers, but we lost simply because we were lacking players. If only
so-and-so was here. If only all our players would show up. Well, last
night we had close to that.
With 15 players, the
Firecrackers took the pitch against a formidable opponent in Deportivo
Nayaros. The field itself would also prove to be a tough opponent,
combining burred weeds, long crabgrass, dirt mounds, sprinklers, gopher
holes, and even a new addition of two goal box ponds for this week. Yes,
even Capitol Park was out to get us.
The whistle blew through
the wind and we were off. The first half was controlled very well by
the Firecrackers, mainly by winning the ball in the air, and crisp
passing. Jumping to an early lead, the ‘Crackers took a 4-1 halftime
lead with goals by David Ahlgren, Sean Stonehouse, Ronnie Jenkins, and
John Basanese. Ronnie’s goal came off of his left foot as he was set up
nicely from a brilliant through ball by John. John Basanese also scored
with his left foot after a set up from ‘Cracker newcomer Donny Dequine.
Above: VC Alum Ronnie Jenkins dribbles
to goal
The second half proved
to be a much different half, with Deportivo Nayaros’ spirits not being
broken. The Nayaros scored 4 second half goals, throwing everything
they had at the Firecracker defense. They never let up, and in fact,
they played much harder being down three goals and playing into the
wind. It also did not help the Firecracker side to have the goal box we
were attacking filled with water. Several obvious goal scoring
opportunities were stymied by the standing water stopping the ball on
its way into the goal. They also had a little help from the referee.
When Ronnie was taken out in the penalty box, the ref originally called
a pen, but changed his mind as he was walking up to the foul area.
Obviously, the score at the time (we were up 4-1) and the catcalls from
the opposing team had some play in his call. The call was changed to a
“dive’ call and Ronnie was warned not to do that anymore.
Except for the first ten
minutes, Deportivo Nayaros never were winning or tied with the
‘Crackers. Second half goals came from Sean Stonehouse (at least his 5th
of the season) and Devin Nelson. Sean scored on a corner kick where
Jeremy Basanese flicked the cross from his brother John right to Stoney
who then hit the upper-v. The goal of the match came with about ten
minutes remaining. The Nayaros were swarming Stonehouse as he was
dribbling towards the left-hand side of the goal box. He dropped the
ball to Ronnie Jenkins, who then hit Donny Dequine, bringing back
memories of the high school glory days (both players graduated from
Valley Christian last year). Donny then drove the ball across the
field
to an open Nelson, who took the ball off his chest, turned, and
unloaded. I swear, even though Devin was 6 yards outside the penalty
box, the goalie had no chance. From the right side of the penalty box,
he hit the left side netting and the Nayaros fate was sealed.
Nayaros did score one
more near the end of the game, bringing the final score to 6-5. Like
last week in our heartbreaking loss (and the week before as well), the
Firecrackers played with great pride. We passed the ball well, defended
as well as we could in the mud pits, but most of all, we played with
heart. There was not one player on the pitch yesterday that couldn’t
say he could have given more. From multiple shots on goal by Paul
Touchet, excellent defending by Will Race, Chris Lucas, Dave Fugate and
Antonio Favella (also of the Super Chavellas) to hard working midfield
from Sean Basanese and Brian Montejano—everyone played his part. We won
this one as a team, and showed that as long as we win the ball in the
air, and all show up, we can win all the rest of our games this year.
I’ll also try to keep
better score next time. Hopefully I’ll only have to tally our goals,
though. :-P
The Firecrackers have a bye
next week, but the quest for the playoffs resumes at Butcher Park on
5/23 vs. Halcones.
Photos from the game can be found here. More coming!
vcsoccer.com man of the match: Devin Nelson (1g)
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Firecrackers |
4 |
2 |
6 |
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Deportivo Nayaros |
1 |
4 |
5 |
Scoring summary:
Ahlgren '5
Stonehouse '18
John Basanese (Dequine) '
30
Jenkins (John Basanese) '40
Stonehouse (Jeremy
Basanese) '68
Nelson (Dequine) '78
Firecrackers Starting Lineup: Lennox,
Favela, Dave Fugate, Chris Lucas,
Will Race, Montejano, Jenkins, Jeremy Basanese, Paul Touchet, Stonehouse,
Dave Ahlgren
Subs: Dequine, Sean Basanese, Devin
Nelson, John Basanese
Weather: Cloudy,
windy, wet. 59 degrees
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