IM Game of the Week
Even before the first kick, it was clear the pace of the match between Starship Troopers and Battalion was going to be frenetic. Barely arriving before kickoff, Battalion’s final two players had to run to take the field and to avoid forcing their team to start five on seven.
Early on, neither team appeared sharp. Sloppy defending resulted in several half-chances for both teams; but the ‘keepers were up to the task, keeping game scoreless. After several minutes, it appeared the players had begun to settle in, but a misjudged attempt at settling a ball out of the air by a Starship Trooper defender gave Battalion a penalty shot, and an opportunity to draw first blood and seize momentum of the game. After some discussion over who should take the spot kick, Adrian Heger stepped up, and calmly slotted home the ball, giving Battalion the 2-0 lead.
Starship Troopers were not daunted, however, and pressed hard to find the equalizer. Twice, Sarah Crecelius came close to scoring after being sent through by Tom Meyer, but both times the shot whistled just wide of the post. Several minutes later, though, Starship Troopers were finally rewarded for their efforts. Frank Vleugels beat three defenders with a fantastic individual effort, but was slowed enough to allow the Battalion ‘keeper to dispossess him. However, he could not hold onto the ball, and Julie Diamond was there to put home the loose ball, leveling the score at two just before half.
In the second half, Battalion came out with a renewed energy, and came just inches away from scoring several times. It was Starship Troopers, though, that would break the deadlock. Once again, it was Julie Diamond, who sent a looping shot from just outside the penalty box into the top corner of the net.
The lead would be short-lived, however, as Sean Allen would answer with a long range effort of his own. With the Starship Trooper ‘keeper off his line, his chip from just inside the mid-line fell just over the ‘keeper’s hands and just below the crossbar to pull Battalion within one.
Seizing upon this momentum, Battlion continued to press, and was able to take the lead for the second time that night on a well placed shot from Jeanne. After surrendering the lead, Starship Troopers once again pushed hard to equalize, and nearly did when Tom Meyer’s long range effort was tipped just over the crossbar by the Battalion net minder. Their second comeback of the night was not to be, however, as Devin “Old Man Keller” Condon scored for Battalion to give his team a comfortable two goal lead with less than a minute remaining.
After the final whistle blew, Battalion players and fans rushed onto the field from the bench to celebrate the victory and free Cane’s chicken. Starship Troopers, meanwhile, continues to search for their “brain bug” to turn the tide of the season. But if the movie is any guide, they will be a force to be reckoned with if and when it finally does come together.
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