ThunderNet: Welcome

In a battle for third place the Thunder met the Heat in a 98 degree season finale. The Thunder were in cool control after another show of their late season scoring prowess. Early in the game Ricky found himself in the Heat box with little attention. He crossed the goal mouth for a better angle. He put it in the wide net, a signal to the Heat that this was not to be their day.

A few minutes later the goalie wisely took Malcolm down by the right post. Mamadou converted the penalty for an early 2-0 lead. Due to the absence of Jonnie M and the need for subs in the heat, Larry played as a sub at forward this day. Just before the half Chris sent a pass forward to Ricky crossing high in the box. Ricky dummied the ball as it went through to Larry who cut the ball back to his left past the defender and sliding goalie and tapped it into the open net with his left.

The Heat had difficult chances hitting the post and missing the bar, but they were hurried difficult chances under harassment from Bryant, Owen and Omar. The Thunder also had several good chances. They controlled the ball for long periods even in their own end.

The Thunder played an unlikely game against their familiar, tough rival Vista Premier.  Jonny M returned as sweeper but Captian Chris and midfielder Ryan showed up to watch this day.  The Premier were without ex-Thunder teammate, Cedric. The Thunder scored quickly and remained on the attack.  They added a second goal before the half.  [details to be added]

In the second half, expecting pressure on the teams reduced numbers, Coach Mohamed pulled the team into midfield-only defense.  The surprising result was four more goals.  Jesse had a hat trick.  [more details to be added]

The Thunder met the runner up team, the HMMS Eagles from Pennsylvania in the championship game of the Potomac Memorial Day Touornament.  A late goal sent the game to overtime and another late goal took the championship for the Eagles.

The Thunder assaulted the Eagle goal for extended periods but got no easy chances against the physical Eagles.  Finally in a controversial sequence of free, indirect kicks Chris kicked two into the goal just prior to whistles.  Apparently the disciplined Eagles were trapping on the touch.  The Referee counted the second goal.  The Thunder protected that lead for much of the game but fell under a sustained Eagle attack late in the game.  The Eagles won numerous penalty and corners.  On a penalty the advancing Eagles caught a free kick beyond the eighteen and knocked in an unmarked shot to force overtime.

Just when penalty kicks seemed inevitable the determined Eagles won a corner.  A bouncing header somehow squeezed by the post for the game winner.  The Thunder played well on the weekend despite adjusting to injuries and absences.

Morning Game

The Thunder met the Lynhurst Magic with Mamadou the Magician. Early in the match Mamadou headed in a high rebound. Later in the half Zibi carried the ball deep and then passed to Mamadou who blasted a top shelf shot for a compfortable, 2-0 lead. The defense led ty the O's, Omar, Otis, and Owen continued their tournament scoreless string to the half.

The second half was a struggle for survival against the determied Magic. The game was played in the Thunder end. Ethan had to make several dramatic stops of sure goals. Finally after the relentless pressure, the Magic scored with the promise to come back for more. In what might have been the Thunder's only trip of the half to the Magic box, Mamadou beat the goalie to the ball by half a step. The goalie took out Mamadou's back leg and knocked him down for a penalty. Owen made the shot to take the suspense out of the Magic's determined rally. The result ws 3-1 and the Thunder advanced to the semi-final.

The Semi-final

No doubt the Beachside Connecticut coach shared a scouting with his team that referenced a strong, fast forward who would win long balls and apply sudden pressure.  The team had to see for themselves.  One minute into the game on the Thunder's first advance, Malcolm raced onto a ball fifteen yards from the goal.  He shot it hard despite an advancing defender who deflected it slightly.  It looped past the goalie and under the bar for a startling early lead.  Larry and Ethan mad few saves and the midfield with Chris Ryan and Mamadou controlled much of the game.  Beachside did press for significant periods but the O's kept them out of harm's way and they shot from afar and wild at every opportunity.  Malcolm's goal stood up and the Thunder are in the Championship game.

Morning Game

The NY Fury opened with a spirited attack in the Thunder end. With injuries and absences the Thunder had to evercome their recent struggles. Soon enough the Thunder launched an attack at the Fury end and won a corner. Chris took it and hit Malcolm between the eyes. He put it into the back of the net for an early lead.

Much later in the half the sub Ricky entered the game. He led a break away that resulted in a scramble near the goal. The goalie cam out and dove for the ball as Ricky got up and touched it to the front of the goal past the prostrate goalie. From there he rolled it in for two goal halftime lead.

Opportunity appeared again after a determined drive by Jonnie I past defenders to the base line. Malcolm ran on to his high bounder and headed it past the goalie, chased it down and tapped it in the goal. There was a "shoeshine" celebration. A short time later Malcolm faced the goal again with the ball. The goalie came out and it looked like another slam into the sprawling goalie. This time Malcolm lifted it high directly into the net. A Hat Trick for Malcolm this day.

Afternoon Game

The Thunder met the West Hartford Premier. Fifteen minutes in Nikolai from wide right crossed to the far post. It made it almost to the post where Ricky met it and touched it in for another good start this day. In the second half Chris free kick found Nikolai who crossed it to Malsolm who turned and carried to the front of the goal where he sent a shot twelve yards inside the far post for another goal.

The frustrated Thunder had many excuses to continue their frustrations Sunday after their loss to penalty kicks on Saturday. Coach Mohamed and Bryant were sent off and unavailble this day. Jonny M was hurt. Owen had to turn around sick and return home. They also had to travel to Bowie and play the Freestate Dragons on their hard lumpy field, never a lucky prospect for the Thunder.

The Dragons scored first when an attack from midfield appeared to some Thunder to be offsides. A wave of Dragons descended upon the goal. Larry came out with hands low so the forward popped it high. It hit the crossbar -a flat crossbar, and bounced straight back to the fire-breathing attackers who tapped it in.

In the second half Jesse sent a through-ball for Malcolm to run on. He passed the defenders and reached the ball by the goal where he tapped it past the helpless goalie to tie the score. After a similar advance and scramble in front of the Dragon goal, Malcolm found the ball and an open net where he pounded in a shot from several feet.

Jonny I and Omar opened on defense. Omar took over at sweeper and impressed even the Freestate parents. Zibi turned back many attacks early with athletic kicks. Mamadou led many attacks down the right side. Chris and Ryan struggled withthe Dragons and the field to control the center. Felix coached the team to a happy conclusion of a frustrating weekend.