December 7, 2000
Bumrushers at Arsenal

Well this is the big one. Whoever wins, wins the division. If we tie, Kodiak wins the division. So need less to say both teams wanted to win. No waiting, time for action.

To start things off, we had to wait a WHOPPING 10 minutes for the 3rd ref to show up. In low 40 degree temperature with a wind chill near freezing it doesn't help anyone when we are waiting on refs. Once the ref finally showed up from being late we started. Action in the first half was fast and furious with Arsenal controlling the ball from the start. We had some chances but didn't get really any good shots on goal. Arsenal scored first about 15 minutes into the game when we misplayed a ball, had it ricochet back, and an Arsenal player was in the right spot for the deflection, got the ball, and shot it barely past Baxter on the right side. Arsenal 1-0.

After back and forth action and bad calls on both sides of the ball from the center ref, came probably the 2nd worst call of the game. The Arsenal forward was darting toward our goal with the ball. Brian slid from the side, got all ball, and then the forward fell over him. The ref called a penalty kick. In soccer, if you get all ball and the ball goes squirting away, that isn't a foul. When the ref said that it didn't matter that he got all ball that didn't help out our frustrations with the bad call. So with the gift PK, the dude shot it and scored past an outstretched goalie. Arsenal 2-0.

If you could pick any part of the play and decision that didn't make us mad, it was when Robert walked up to the ref, and telling him flat out to his face he is the worst ref he has ever seen. Robert should've just asked the ref for a card.

At halftime we were down 2-0, much like last game. Tempers were starting to show again. Luckily the cold weather and no bickering on the sideline helped us out. We needed to hold Arsenal to no more goals and needed 3 to win.

A tale of 2 halves, 1st half to Arsenal, 2nd half to us. 5 minutes into the second half we started to slowly but surely grab the big MO. We were passing the ball better and starting to get it up to our forwards. Most of the play in the second half was in midfield. Just back and forth action until we finally broke through about 25 minutes in.

Brian was running down the field with the ball when he got mauled for the 8th time of the game around 22 yards out. We got the free kick. Pat was taking the kick and Robert was in the wall. Pat set up for a right footed shot, then switched sides to kick left footed. Robert ran through the wall and Pat struck a magnificent left foot, left bending shot that went through the wall right where Robert was running, into the back of the net past a diving keeper. That has got to be one of the finest looking strikes I have ever seen, even from the pros. Arsenal 2-1

That goal lit a spark. We started playing with more confidence. We almost tied the game when Winters was running along his right side of the field and shot from 35 yards out. The ball hit a foot below the left post and bounced out. I did get a B in physics, so I don't see how the ball bounced out instead of to the side. Oh well.

About 10 minutes left in the game, we were rushing their goal. We won a corner kick. Pat stepped up to take the kick, sent it long to Sam. Sam headed it, hit the crossbar, came straight down, and then he kicked it back in to make sure that it was a goal. Tie game at 2-2.

At this point there was 10 minutes left. 2 minutes later the whistle was called 3 times. This was the worst call other than the penalty kick. Soccer rules: no more than 11 on the field per team, games are played 90 minutes. Speaking to Arsenal players, the game ended early. We thought the game ended early. We asked the side judge how much time is left. The time he told us that was left was way more than what was being recorded by the center ref. The ref made one mistake, he let the players on the field call the game. Someone would be taken out. 5 seconds later after hearing "Come on" the whistle blew. He only called about half of the hand balls that could've been called. Taking into consideration balls that hit anywhere to the outside of where nipples are because he called a few that didn't touch the arms. The ref assessor was there. I'm sure he noticed this. Not that we should expect help from the refs, but when mistakes are made like these, they are very noticible by both teams. Yes I did ask the other team. We had good refs until these last 2 games when they were under accessment. Can't explain it. We do have good refs in this league.

With the magnitude of this game, we should've played the whole 90 minutes. And second we should've started on time. But those are things we as players can't control. I congratulate my team on the fine effort that we put on not only in this game showing guts coming back like that but also all season long. Last fall the best we did was tie 1 game. In the spring we won 3 games. This fall we only lost 1 game. We have made huge strides since coming into this league. With the core of guys that we have returning we should be just as good in the spring. So guys great season and I'll see you in the Challenge Cup. By the way, congrats to Kodiak

Dennis Thompson