October 20, 2002
Memphis Shock at New World FC

We were going into this game thinking this was our chance to put up a big number for the first time in a while. Considering we have some very tough games left, this was our “easy” game until we get into the meat of our schedule. Game day conditions were cool temperatures with soggy pitch conditions.

Before the game started, the coach for New World was raising a stink because he didn’t read his email and see that they were playing us instead of the Storm. Apparently, they had a game plan against the Storm and hadn’t made up one against us yet. But whatever it was, it didn’t work. We started with 7 subs for the second straight game.

Our play in the first half as a whole was horrendous. While we did get a few goals, it was not good. We started the scoring off about 17 minutes into the game. Todd saw Billy making a run from midfield and sent a long ball to him from the center stripe. Billy overran it but came back just enough to pop the ball over the goalie and just below the crossbar for a goal. Memphis Shock leading 1-0. 10 minutes later Todd slid in to clear an arrant pass that found the player in waiting by the name of JJ. JJ took the ball and was off to the races. When the goalie came out of the goal he shot it to the goalie’s left for our second goal of the game. Shock 2-0.

After some more bad play, we gave up a penalty kick. Kip touched some guy who appeared to hit the “abort mission” button pretty easily. So the player came up and shot the ball past Baxter. Someone on NWFC thought that the kicked totally fooled Baxter and made an “OHHHHHHHH” sound when he scored. Nothing against Baxter, but aren’t you supposed to score on a pk??? Shock hanging on 2-1.

After having one goal disallowed, we grabbed another goal 10 minutes before the half. On a counter attack, Mark was coming down his right side with the ball. Mark fired in a cross that nearly took off Matt’s head. Jeremy somehow settled the ball, cut to his left, and rocketed a shot that flew by the keeper. Shock up 3-1.

Halftime we were a little perturbed at how we had played so horrible against the cellar dwellers. We knew we had to pick up the pace so we could look like some real soccer players.

Second half we came out on fire. We got another early goal before our first round of substitutes. Bishop was bringing a ball up the right side of the field and saw an opening pass to the middle of the field. He sent the ball in which Sam one-timed to bulge the ole onion bag. Shock up 4-1. Just a few minutes later, Bishop sent another pass in that found Kip making a run from defense. Kip settled the ball from his chest, and placed a shot that hit the back post. Pretty goal. Shock up 5-1. 10 minutes later JJ stole a pass that was intended for a fellow NWFC defender, took a couple of dribbles, and beat the keeper again. Shock 6-1.

Sam showed us that if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. Bishop took a corner on the right side of the field. Sam had a header that the keeper got just enough touch on it to deflect it outside the left post. On the ensuing corner from Jeremy on the left side, Sam guided the header in the same place he did the try before past the keeper for a goal. Shock 7-1. Later, From a free kick, John took the ball and dribbled up the middle of the field. He played a little give-and-go with Dennis, dribbled past 3 defenders, and shot low and left past the keeper who barely moved. Shock leading 8-1. At this time Baxter came in at midfield, and a minute later the game was over.

We wanted to win big and we did. We could’ve easily scored 4-5 more goals, but our finishing early in the game was very suspect. But in the end, we got our desired 8 goals. Good result for us.

Dennis Thompson