The Ramsey Hotspur Gold was the Ravens’ opponent for the second round of the NJYS National Championships. Both teams received first round bye’s, so this second round game, played at the Parsippany SC Reynolds complex, was the first game in the tourney for both teams. Ramsey currently plays in Northern Counties Flight “A,” while the Ravens are in MIDNJ, Flight 3.
On what was a typical late September fall day, with mild temps, a bit overcast, and a slight drizzle at times (perfect soccer weather!), both teams would have plenty in the tank, and they would eventually need it.
Early in the first half, both teams tried to set the tempo. Hotspur, playing with three backs and a pure sweeper, tried to work the ball up the middle of the field, but the Ravens’ defense was up to the challenge, as the words of the day were to, "deny shots!" The Ravens tried to stay wide and work to the goal in the offensive third. However, the Hotspur defense was just as determined to keep the ball away from their own net.
As the first half rolled along, both teams were shutting down any good offensive bursts, and both goalies were slightly challenged on a couple of shots. However, in the 19th minute, Hotspur would get the first tally of the game. A Hotspur corner kick was successfully cleared by the Ravens’ defense, but a loose ball found its way to the foot of a Ramsey middie about 25 yards from the goal. With the Ravens’ defense pushing out, the middie put a lofting shot on goal that could not have been more perfectly placed. The shot settled just inside the right post, and just under the cross bar, and there was nothing that Ravens’ goalie Randi Pesci could do except retrieve the ball from the back of the net. 1-0 Ramsey.
This was a key moment for the Ravens. Knowing they were playing better than even, would this one goal zap their drive and aggressiveness that was so prominent till now ? There have been lessons learned already in this short season, and the Ravens would have to draw from their experience to maintain and possibly lift their level of play. This was still a ball game … with a long way to go.
38 seconds into first half stoppage time (35 minute halves in the State Cup tourney), the Ravens would get even. Sarah Lipinski, playing at center mid, found herself tracking down a loose ball just outside the Hotspur 18 after some lively action in the Hotspur defensive third. With the Hotspur goalie off her line and to the left of the net, Sarah, who was actually moving away from the Hotspur goal, spun a 180* kick that rolled slowly towards, and into the net. The only question was time still in ? Yes it was, as the field ref pointed to midfield to award the goal. The half ended about 20 seconds later!
The second half saw both teams play some outstanding and exciting soccer. This was also a physical game, with players from both teams taking some licks and requiring some on field assistance. There was also one outstanding diving save by Ravens’ goalie Pesci who stopped a shot that was earmarked for just inside the near post. The Hotspurs also successfully cleared a barrage of Ravens’ corner kicks as the second half was winding down. But the second half came to an end with both teams coming close, but not close enough. So we headed to two (2) ten-minute overtime periods, with both halves to be played in their entirety regardless of how many goals scored.
Both the Hotspur's and Ravens were thinking that this game was going to come down to one good shot in OT, or a lucky goal of sorts. However, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Both teams were well prepared for what was ahead of them, but which one, or who, would get the one golden opportunity?
The first ten played out with the same brand of soccer that defined the second half – tough, aggressive, and clean. With the crowd up and out of their chairs on the far sideline, both teams fed on the excitement and dug in, with only a couple of slightly dangerous chances handled by both defenses.
The second ten was similar to the first, but the nerves of the players and parents were probably getting a good workout. With time clicking away, and a shootout looming, both teams tried to push hard into the offensive third and get off any kind of shot on the now damp natural turf. It was tough sledding, since fatigue was now becoming a factor as well. But there would be one more opportunity!
In the 90th minute (35 + 35 + 10 + 10), and time running down, Ravens’ center mid Krystal McLean collected a ball about 25 yards out and to the right of the Hotspur net. Krystal served up a ball that fell just inside the six and to the right of the net. However, neither the Hotspur goalie nor a defender was in position to make a safe clear. Sensing the opportunity, Ravens’ left striker Alex Seldin saw the ball slowly making its way through the six. Alex got into a short, quick race with her marking defender. It was just a matter of who was going to get there first, and fortunately for the Ravens, Alex did, and she made sure the ball met the back of the net!
Now up 2-1, and with less than a minute to go, the Ravens did an excellent job of getting and keeping the ball up field, and away from their own net. When the final whistle blew, the girls knew they had just played one of the most exciting games in their short careers, and came out victorious. A great job … a fabulous win … and now we get to do it all again on October 14th , somewhere, sometime, and hopefully with the same outcome ... but we can do without the OT!
