Cataraqui Soccer Club

Comeback Victory Leads Cat II to Top of Table

Two second half goals against third place Grizzly’s propelled Cat II to the top of the B division standings, one point ahead of Kelsey’s who lost on the night.

This was a total team effort against a squad that provided plenty of challenge.  The back four were credited by all for having a very strong game.  But perhaps the best move of the night was by interim coach Bobby Armstrong who named Paul Blais as captain for the evening (first time ever!).

That tremendous move seemed to inspire the troops enough to fall behind 1-0 in the 25th minute.  This was the only time all night that the backline got lazy and allowed two grizzly looking forwards in on Melvin Orozco.   Otherwise, Mark LaPrise, John McGarry, Peter Boyle (1st half), Andrew Nader (2nd half), Eoin Boyle and the author were an extremely solid unit.

For the first time this year, Cat II had a short bench with only 3 subs.  Thanks go to Roman Zablocki and Artek Reczek for coming out despite their injuries.  Artek confirmed the tabloid rumours to this reporter that he will not be playing this year.

In the first half, Cat II created quite a lot of play with Luc Hempel and Peter Boyle Jr. doing plenty of running on the forward flanks.  However, there was a little something missing through the half and the counterattacks seemed to get grizzlier as the half wore on.

Seeing this, the blue shirts made a half-time adjustment that turned out to be the difference.  Peter Boyle was moved from sweeper to centre midfield and Andrew Nader took over on the back line.  Boyle Sr. was a one-man wrecking machine the rest of the night with very strong midfield support from Larry Hart, Val Tomsens, Rob Lusink, Ted Bailey and Peter Jenkins.

Boyle Sr. put on a clinic that created the foul leading to Boyle Jr.’s “no doubt about it” spot kick from 12 yards.  Boyle Sr. received the ball in the centre at about 22 yards out.  In a crowded area, he dribbled through three (yes, three) defenders before being forced down by the keeper as he raced in alone.   1-1 after 60 minutes.

This was a wonderful game to play in – both teams fighting hard, but fairly for every ball.  The competition was just what you want on a Tuesday night.

The winning goal was scored on what may soon be picked up by Oxford English Dictionary as a “boyle”.  Not to be confused with a painful puss oozing sore or bringing water to 100 degrees, this new verb is defined as: “Scoring from a direct free kick while the opposing goal keeper is lining up the wall.”  Three weeks ago Boyle Sr. sent KUSC to the showers with the same trickery.  2-1

That 80th minute goal led to 10 minutes of pulsating soccer with Grizzly’s pushing hard for the equalizer.  The boys stood strong!  Great team effort!