April 7, 2002
Memphis Shock at Waves

After having our game Saturday getting postponed, we were anxious to get out on the pitch and play again. We had played exactly 2 games in 31 days. Long layoffs like that aren’t good for any team. The only thing we knew about the Waves are they have speed and won D4 last season. Not to mention that they tied Kodiak the week before. So we knew we had a battle on our hands. It was a beautiful day for soccer. Temperatures in the high 60’s with lots of sun and acres of green, lush grass. Only a win would make it even more perfect.

We started the game off with the most subs we have had for a game this year, 3. The first 10 minutes of the game was played on the left side of the field mostly in midfield. Every now and then a run would be made but nothing too serious. Starting early in the game the ref was missing offside calls, or not calling the offside. The defenders would have to tell her to look to her assistant ref to get the call.

With play going back and forth, and us not playing anywhere near our potential, no one had the upper hand. That changed just before midway through the first half. Dennis won an errant pass and passed the ball up to Kevin. Kevin the passed it up to JJ who made a run to the right sideline. He took a couple of dribbles and then centered the ball. The ball went long and Matt was there. He headed the ball back in the middle where Dennis finished the ball to the net for a goal. Memphis Shock 1-0.

The lead was short lived though. About 10 minutes later the Wave got a lucky break when our defender didn’t get enough foot on the ball to send it back to the keeper. The Wave forward got control of the ball and just barely slotted it past Baxter back post, off the post and in the net. Game tied 1-1.

Coming into halftime the ref started to really miss calls. JJ had a pass sent up to him which he settled, but bounced up and hit him high in the upper legs. The ref called a handball. Of course, his hands were out to the side, not even close to the ball. Then just a couple minutes later, a blatant handball by a Waves defender wasn’t called right outside the box. All in all, there were 5 handballs not call, and 1 balls ball called.

Halftime we were just sitting around wondering why we were playing so bad. Our opponents were wining balls and seeming to want it more. Something had to change.

The second half was a little different story. We came out playing better wanting and needing the win. The field started to really open up. With the Waves pulling 4 defenders back and pushing 4 up on every run, that was leaving the midfield wide open for us. We did take advantage, but not as much as we usually would.

I think at this point the ref started to really lose the respect of the players. She was making horrible calls. She would call touch fouls that usually wouldn’t be called, then on harder fouls would let play stand. Luckily, for both teams sake, it wasn’t geared mainly toward one team. One bad call that she made against us was the sideline ref held his flag high for an offside call. The ref never called it. After nearly 10 seconds, Keith brought down a Waves player and was awarded a yellow. Of course, had the ref looked to her side, Keith would be card less and we would’ve gotten the ball. But, what can you do?

We had a few chances to take the lead in the second half. Mark was making a few runs out of the right wing that resulted in shots either deflected of saved by the keeper. Another was Dennis miss-hitting a volley on a centered ball. Jon had a point blank shot after he ran through 3 defenders that hit the keeper in his outstretched arms. In the first half Jon had a couple of shots that deflected off of defenders that were heading for the goal. Bishop and JJ each had their chances. Our best chance this half came when Keith sent a pass up to JJ running down the left line and he centered in to Matt. Matt miss-kicked and the shot went inches wide.

A few minutes later we got a huge break. A ball was won in midfield and sent up to Kevin. Walt was making a run and Kevin sent the ball up for him. In the box, both Walt and the keeper arrived at the ball at the same time and the ball went rolling away. The ref awarded us a penalty kick. Later we found out the ref gave the call because she thought that the keeper was coming out with his legs to trip our player. So after a minute, Bishop stepped up and hit it straight down the middle for a goal. Shock up 2-1.

So, after this break we got you would think, well, life is fair and its time for the Waves big break. Nope. Todd was trying to clear an errant bouncing pass and kicked it right in the stomach of a Waves player. Although that player went down, there were 2 of his teammates right beside him that controlled the ball. Luckily for us, the ref called a foul on I guess Todd for kicking the ball. The Waves got a free kick. While the Waves should’ve been able to finish the play for continuation, they were not given that luxury. Needless to say they were a little hot about that.

Minutes later the ref called the game early, by about 5 minutes judging from the time the side ref gave. Memphis Shock with the 2-1 win.

For some strange reason, we haven’t been playing games to our potential. Practices we do very well. We even beat the current top 2 teams in D2 in scrimmages going 3-0. This game really frustrated us as a team s we just didn’t seem to be “there”. While although we played much better in the second half, hustling more, we know we can do so much better. I just hope we can find it in time for our next game. If we can, the rest of the teams in our division need to watch out.

Dennis Thompson