They won't all come easy. The Maroon men notched a 3:2 victory against crosstown rivals Hunter in a rough-and-tumble match that stayed physical until the last minute. Action in the first half was fast and furious from the opening touch, and both teams took several minutes to settle down into the game. In a typical play during those first minutes, Michael P served up a brilliant cross from the right side (5') but there were no maroon jerseys to be seen in the middle.
Harry H recorded the first shot for ACU in the 7th minute, with Jimmy G and Nathan A taking additional shots (10' and 14') before outside mid Brad T gutted his way into the goal box and put home an unassisted goal (21'). Michael P, Jimmy G, and Kyle M kept up the pressure with three more shots over the next seven minutes. And John C, bringing his A game this morning, shut down a probable Hunter goal on the far post during a corner kick in the 30th minute. Steve H, keeper in both halves, recorded three saves and helped to hold the Tornadoes scoreless in the first half.
They say the first five minutes and last five minutes of each half are critical in soccer, and Hunter started the second half with a textbook example, scoring their first goal in the 36th minute. Hunter charged back twice more in the next two minutes, and would have had their second goal if not for a body block in the mouth of the goal from defender Kyle M. ACU took its turn only a few minutes later, with unassisted breakaway goals by Connor C (40') and a limping Harry H (44'), who had suffered an ankle injury in the first half. Jimmy G, playing sick and injured, took four more shots in the half to keep pressure on the Tornadoes. Hunter would land one more goal (59') just to keep the parents on the edge of their seats, but the ACU defense led by Curtis L held out until the final whistle. Final score ACU 3:2 Hunter.
Next Match
Away at Plymouth Fire (2-0-0), Sunday, September 19th. The Fire beat the Upper Dublin Black Knights 2:1 today.
Notes and Stats
Shots on goal, 1st half: 3 Hunter / 10 ACU
Shots on goal, 2nd half: 6 Hunter / 9 ACU
Corner kicks allowed: 5 Hunter / 6 ACU
Cards: Hunter #23 (50', yellow, persistent infringement)
Ricky C (concussion) and Nick P (leg) did not play.
ACU took 9 offside calls during the match, 6 of them in the first half.
Attacks and Shots
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