March 11, 2001
Memphis Shock vs Rage

Coming into this game were the 2 preseason picks as the team to beat. We had only played 2 games as a team and the Rage had been playing all winter long. It was slated to be a good game. It turned out to be a pretty good hard fought game on both sides of the ball. Game day conditions were a balmy mid 60’s degree weather with a stiff wind and tons of sun.

We started the game off short again with 10 players. 1 out due to injury, but he came showing his loyalty, another to wisdom teeth pulling, 2 running late, and another we have no idea where he was. Due to this fact Rage scored no more than 10 minutes into the game. A ball was centered and it made it's way to a Rage forward who shot the ball low to Baxter’s right. Rage 1-0 way too early in the game.

Even thought I hate to get scored on, I’m kinda glad we did. It made our team decide to wake up and start playing soccer. For the rest of the half it was back and forth action. Each team making some good runs, with the defense either sending balls off or picking up bad passes. Each team had a couple good chances. A Rage forward took a shot that Baxter got a paw on and hit the right post and deflected out of the box. We had 2 good chances. On a center from Bryant a running Ryan got a strong head on the ball that flew a half-foot over the crossbar. Then with 10 minutes left Bishop deflected a ball that went to Dennis who turned and 1 timed a shot low left corner that the keeper made a diving save on. Going into the half the Memphis Shock were down by a 1 goal deficit.

At half we made a couple of changes. We moved some guys around to try to utilize them better. And man did it work. Knowing that we knew we have the firepower to strike back we came out hot.

We won the 2nd half with the Rage winning the first. For the most part of the 1st half the Rage were on the offensive, but that changed this half. We were making more spirited runs, with our midfield running rampant in the middle on their side of the field. On our side, it was harder to move. But once we crossed the stripe, we had the room. The defense was playing stronger not giving the Rage an inch. We were utilizing our open wings and speed more this half. Many more balls came into the goal with the goalie mishandling a couple until they bounced right back up at him. We had many more chances on goal this half.

A couple of note were midfielders coming right up the middle and shooting just wide. Even a few in swingers that we were collapsing on. One ball almost resulted in a little scuffle with the keeper and Cam the monster after some harmless contact for a ball. Rage had 1 good chance when a forward was left alone and took a shot that hit the crossbar and dropped straight down but not in the goal.

On a lighter side, Tyler became the first player this season to have a swift shot to the nards.

With 8 minutes left we got the equalizer. Bryant picked a loose ball just behind midfield and passed it up to Sharp. Sharp sent the ball to his right to Winter who had his cigarette at half to give him the energy to make this run. Winter dribbled a few and shot a low ball that the keeper couldn’t handle. The ball got loose and just made it in the goal. There were a total of 4 people in a 5-foot area. Two were ours making sure that the ball went it. Tied 1-1.

Both teams were on the offensive trying not to tie. 3 minutes from time Nathan slid for a ball in the box and got all ball that resulted in a penalty kick after the Rage player fell. First off it was all ball and the Rage player did not have control of the ball. Bad call but we had to live with it and hope that Baxter could make the save. The Rage penalty shooter stepped up, shot right at Baxter’s feet, who deflected it to the right that hit the post, and jumped on it. He’s the man. A few minutes later the ref called the whistle to end the game with a tie.

If we are not the most tie-ingest team ever in GMSA I don’t know who is. In our last 23 games, we have a total of 8 ties. Good thing is, we don’t lose. This was a good game. Near the end, we started backing off the ball for some reason, but our midfield was running at will. We were so close to breaking out with more goals. We were taking too much time with the ball when we got it. Had we got rid of it even 1 second earlier we would’ve won. Too much playing with the ball and not too many one touches plagued us today. We could’ve won this game. I’m sure Rage would say the same thing. I would almost expect them too. All in all we played well, and will continue to play well. We will get better once people start being on time and we can play a whole game better instead of the second half. Give us 2 games to start hitting our stride.

Dennis Thompson