October 5, 2000
Bumrushers vs. Kodiak

Our 5th game of the year came against a bunch of dippers, Kodiak. We were expecting a good game and got one. Being a new team we really didn't know much about them, other than 4 guys from our team use to play with some of their guys. That team was Bellevue, 1997 and 98 Division 3 City Champs. Needless to say we were looking forward to this game. We played missing one of our guys who had to work.

The pace of the game started off fast and furious. The first 20 minutes of the game was a track meet. Each team had some good scoring opportunities but good saves from the goalies kept this game tight. Our first good chance on goal was when Winters made one of his many runs down the side and shot a bullet into the gut of the Kodiak keeper.(who btw is the best keeper we have faced this year) Minutes later Sam was pushing toward the goal and slipped a ball through 2 defenders and the goalie in which Dennis stretched and got a light touch on but not enough to direct the ball into the net. Constant pressure on the goal gave us some good scoring opportunities but very lively balls didn't help us out too much.

Our first goal came after 15 minutes off a free kick. After a foul Art took a free kick and sent it for Winters. He took a shot on goal which was deflected out by a Kodiak defender for a corner. Pat sent a long corner kick that Sam jumped over his defender and from a sharp angle headed the ball into the goal. Bumrushers 1-0.

The rest of the half was up and down action for both teams. Getting in the late stages of the half the play was mainly in the middle of the field. Also at this time it was clear to see the different styles of play. We were passing the ball like there was nothing to it and using the passing strategy to move the ball around. Kodiak was using the approach of get the ball, run with it, try to juke our guys out, and then pass it. Both teams worked out these strategies fairly well.

The first part of the second half was the same as the end, each team playing their kind of play. We broke through first 15 minutes in when Pat was at mid-field and sent a ball to Sam. Sam headed the ball to a following Dennis, who touched it back to Sam, who settled, and sent a ball into the box where Micah one timed a rocket past the keeper. Bumrushers 2-0.

At this point Kodiak started pushing more people up. Our defense was still doing a great job not letting any shots on goal within the 18 until the 25th minute when Kodiak scored. A Kodiak player somehow got wide open on the right side of the field and dribbled the ball in and got the ball past Baxter for a goal. It was Baxter's first goal against in the past 5 periods. Bumrushers 2-1. Minutes later Sam sent a through ball to a streaking Cam that was headed off by a Kodiak defender. Cam just ever so slightly got his feet tangled up with the player. The defender went down face first and when Cam was running past him, stupidly reached up and grabbed Cam's leg and pulled him down. Cam jumped up and beat him up. J/K Actually he got up and pushed him to let him know that he wasn't scared. The defender got a red and Cam got a yellow. Fresh off of the yellow card Brian was getting jealous and decided that he wanted one of his own. So to get his card he tackled a Kodiak midfielder from behind. This play was significant cause the person who took the free kick kicked it toward our goal. Baxter was waiting for the ball when Art tried to clear it when he changed his mind and just nicked the ball enough to get it past Baxter for an own goal. Tied at 2-2. Before the game ended Art took a ball to the touchline and took a little break. The Kodiak defender cowardly kicked Art in the back of the leg. This should've been a card because he had no intent of playing the ball.

For the fan to watch this game, it was a treat. I should know cause I spent over half of the game on the sidelines still feeling the effects of Bronchitis/Sinusitis. It was a good display of 2 different types of soccer. Not to mention the guys on the field knew how to play soccer and knew how to play their game. In the second half the play was physical, but safe physical. Slide tackles were for the most part executed right and a little pushing was in good faith. Most games this year have been sloppy by one team and there has been no flow of play. This game had flow and good play.

For us we played a great game. Yes we should've won. Our passing skills really showed tonight. We had many passes that were snuffed out by the opponents that usually wouldn't have been. Even balls that were cut off were good decisions. We used the whole field tonight, which is something we haven't done with regularity. We are also improving on making runs and using them. Winters was a running and centering fool from his position on the wing. We utilized him well and he responded. Once he has his cigarette its on. Our forwards did a great job trying to create chances with 2 guys on them at all times. Midfield played a good game moving the ball all around the field. Defense played great until the first goal when everyone started yelling at each other. Bascially we played a good game up against some stiff competition. When the opponents would try to juke us out, we were right there not budging. That's the mark of a great team. We looked like we belonged in D3.

Things that we can take from this game: a) we can play with anyone b) yelling at each other after a goal will come back to hurt us, ex. VFC and Kodiak and c)Justin wont get carried off the field with an injury every game now.

Dennis Thompson