"You can't be a winner and be afraid to lose.”

The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos.
The winner will be the one who controls that chaos,
both his own and the enemies.
Napoleon

Today's victory was nothing short of a war. Last weeks battle put us on top, but a win this week would keep us there, and Holy Child knew it. They came ready with all their players, but so did we and we needed each of you to win.

We had our chances in the first half but weren't finishing. Break away after breakaway were shut down and their defense was wise to our left side attack. We were trying to break through but were being stopped on each try. And when they broke through the defense and a wet ball found it's way through the outstretched hands of goalie Gaetano Sciove, the game plan needed to change. Going into the half down 1-0 was not where any of us wanted to be, but it takes two halves to make a game.

Coach Mark reached deep into his bag of tricks, and pulled out the answer. Safet Redzovic made a guest appearance in net, Jabari Archer was pulled back to defense and the Forward attack of Molina / Bifalco was put together. Archer played his spot like a veteran, pushing the ball up the right side to Ryan Hapuarachchi, who connected with Greg and BJ pass after pass. Again the chances were coming but the goals weren't. Not until BJ broke through again, blasted a shot at the keeper and the rebound bounced to a waiting Greg Molina to tie us up at 1-1. But we didn't play for ties and we all knew that.

With a fresh slate, our team continued to press ahead, and with the fresh legs of Matt Guthrie running the wing, we continued to move the ball. After Matt's cross found a hole in the defense and BJ's lobbed a shot that feel short, Michael Marotta came flying in from Midfield and "coughed up a hair ball" that took the goalie into the net and put us on top for good.

Every game brings us closer to the end, but every victory prepares us for the future.

4 to go.....

In the end...it was harder to get you all to smile for the photo than it was to win the game.

Practice: Tuesday 3 to 5 Thursday 4:30 to 6:30
Game: Sunday 9:00 (Arrive at 8:30) Happy Mother's Day!