Day: September 16, 2017

Solow, Isbell & Palladino vs Stadium Pizza

Second game of opening day featured the Solow, Isbell & Palladino Immigrants taking on Stadium Pizza. Stadium started the game a player short but soon were up to full strength. Early SIP pressure resulted in a goal from co-captain Justin Meltzer after he was played through by rookie Noah Hallman. A few minutes later a handball was spotted by a Stadium defender in the box, and Justin stepped up to convert the spot kick, 2-0. There were a few chances at each end but the half ended 2-0 in favor of the Immigrants.
Stadium came out with more intensity in the second half, but when Jim Reggiani was fouled on a counterattack outside the corner of the Stadium penalty area, he stepped up to take the free kick, and placed it with pace power & precision in the far post upper corner, and the Immigrants seemed to be cruising to the win. Rain swept in as the lights came on, and the Immigrants were starting to run out of gas just as Stadium seemed to be catching a second wind.
Conrad Montlouis scored on a nice free kick of his own from a similar spot, beating the SIP keeper at his near post. Not long after, Marcus Catanese won a header at the back post, the ball fell to Mustafa Abdalla at the six and he put it past the keeper. Stadium continued to threaten, but SIP held on the rest of the way and earned a gritty win.

Unfortunately, in winning that second-half header Marcus knocked heads with Dan McNichol and had to go the ER after the game, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. Feel better Marcus!

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Irish Times vs Stargazy

The 2017 BVFC Tournament kicked off Saturday on a beautiful (but hot) day at Penn Park as Irish Times met Stargazy.  The first half was a back and forth affair, with IT having a bit more of the possession but being unable to get the ball past Aaron Meeker in the Stargazy net. Aaron had about 5 or 6 great saves, but IT was finally able to break through on a goal from Mark Vivitsky.  Stargazy looked to play on the counter and had good chances through Monkey Mike Montague and Greg McKenna, but Ben Graff in the IT goal was up to the challenge.  In the second half, the Stars evened things up through BVFC newcomer Brandon Pierce.  IT answered back through youngster Jacob Graff.  Monkey Mike finally got his goal next to make it 2-2.  Just when it looked like a draw and a share of the spoils was on offer, Big English James Holt came through with a moment of brilliance with about 2 minutes left to give IT all 3 points.  Good game all around.  Thanks to Craig, Marcus and Justin for reffing.

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