May 23, 2002
Memphis Shock vs Kodiak FC

In the first game of the division championship, we were up against the Kodiak Futbol Club. These two teams had always had some good battles. This game didn’t let anyone down. Gameday conditions were in the low 80’s with a plush pitch.

Both teams were off and running at the opening whistle. Momentum would switch from team to team constantly. Each team would attempt a fast break, only to have it pushed away. Both sides were taking some nice shots. Kodiak’s were on target, ours were just inches wide.

At halftime the score was tied at 0-0. We felt as if we were playing the better ball. During halftime our two captains went and spoke to the center ref about making equal calls. The Kodiak coach made an exception of it, asking why. The second half began.

This half was the same as the first. With us having more play with the ball, and shots going wild. On a slide tackle, a Kodiak player unfortunately broke his leg. The play didn’t look that harmful. But we wish him the best and hope he recovers with the quickness.

Kodiak jumped on the board first. One of our defenders was trying to pass the ball back to our keeper but he didn’t kick it hard enough. A Kodiak forward was already running toward the goal and caught up with it just before Baxter could and put it past him. Kodiak with the lead at 1-0.

Constant threats on goal finally paid off for the Shock with mere minutes left in the game. Kip gobbled up a ball in the back and sent it up to JJ in the front. JJ appeared to be offside but the blind (in a good way) ref didn’t call it. He beat his defenders to pace and dinked the shot off the woodwork for a goal. Game tied 1-1.

Minutes later the ref blew the whistle for the end of regulation. We were going into OOOVVVEEERRRRRRRTIIIIIMMMMEEE. And just as promptly as possible, as both teams were walking off, the lights went off on our field. Luckily, the lights on the field next to ours were still on, so we had to go play over there.

Little did we know how much of a difference that change would make? There were 2 15 minute halves, no golden goal. If we were still tied after the extra 30 minutes, we would go to shoot-out. Within the first 5 minutes, there was a goal. The Kodiak player who scored their regular time goal was running along the end line. He and Walter slid for a loose ball. The deflection from both players trying to clear shot the ball 30 feet up in the air and 25 yards back into the field of play. A Kodiak player was standing right at the half circle where he settled cut right and shot far post to beat a diving keeper. Kodiak up 2-1. Minutes later on a 2-on-1 Kodiak scored again, just barely getting the shot past the keeper from point blank.

The second OT was the same. The Shock we pushing players up and not succeeding in scoring. Kodiak got their 4th goal when a cleared ball hit one of our players and again rolled to an opponents foot. He dribbled to the middle of the field and shot a daisy cutter that skidded to the back of the net. A minute later, an errant pass right to the middle forward sealed the deal with another goal. The ref blew the whistle to end the game with Kodiak at a 5-1 win.

Not counting the OT, we played a great game that we should’ve won. But we aren’t gonna win everything. I do have to say that both keepers played a marvelous game and kept the game as low scoring as it was. Baxter couldn’t really control what happened in the overtime. But both keepers played one hell of a game.

To end the season, it was a great season. Not really the way that we would’ve liked to end it. But we took care of what we had to when we had to. Good season and we will see you in D2 in the Fall.

Dennis Thompson