Cataraqui Soccer Club

Cataraqui I 4 vs The Keg 3  (3-1 on Penalty Kicks)

After giving up just one goal in the first three games of the season, Cataraqui I gave up three in the first 17 minutes and then cued a dominating comeback that ended with a victory in the much maligned penalty kick shoot-out.  The win pushes the blue and black through to the round of 8 in the Carman Lazio Sr. Cup.

As already mentioned, this was not a pretty start.  It wasn’t so much that we underestimated our B Division opposition, but that we lacked intensity – especially on the backline.  In the second minute miscommunication between Ted Bailey and Paul Blais allowed a punt from The Keg’s keeper to be corralled by their forward and, two mistackles later, a drifting shot found its way over Alex Fletcher who could only get the slightest of touches.  0-1

To our credit we shook off the disappointment and only 5 minutes thereafter we equalized on the shoulders of Graham Fedorak.  Lots of goals in this one so the descriptions won’t be vivid.  Graham had the ball fed to him down the left flank and took the ball to near the end line where he brought it in towards the net.  From a very bad angle he surprised the keeper (and I think everyone else) with a near post shot that bulged the twine.  1-1

The momentum didn’t last long.  Lazy tackling and no defensive communication led to two Keg goals in quick succession.  The first we were all sure was offside as the vollier of the ball was alone inside the 6.  To the forward’s credit he did finish it well.  More concerning is how the guy doing the crossing from the top corner of the 18 had so much time on the ball.   1-2

I guess I’ve been trying to wipe the third from my memory because all I remember is that there must have been five gaffs inside our 18 – a mishandle, missed tackles, lazy marking – this goal featured it all.  1-3

It appears that the first round of substitutions couldn’t have come soon enough.  And you know from the 20th minute to the 110th minute we must have had at least 70% of the play.  A key switch seemed to be plugging Ciaran “my doctor told me I’m not THAT injured” Boyle and Matt Herod into the backline – they settled the troops down.  From there, facing a big uphill battle, the Toucaneers’ intensity lifted, the midfielders began to get a lot of the ball and the forwards spared nothing in taking on The Keg’s backline.

To the credit of The Keg, they absorbed a lot of the pressure and their keeper (voted their MVP) played a fine game.  However, it just seemed a matter of time before we would score and Jason Akers pulled us within 1 in the 43rd minute.  A huge chuck from long throwing Andy Nader was flicked by a Keg defender to the far post where the ball met Jason’s sure feet.  2-3

The second half was a dominating performance – midfielders Eoin Boyle, Larry Hart, Steve Stutzman, John Gallianaro and MVP Roman Zablocki were untiring in their effort to square the match.  The defenders’ confidence rose too and not much got through – Mark Laprise played great during his turns at left back.

The good guys’ chances kept coming and although Mark Schultes, Peter Boyle Jr. and Dave Ryding troubled the entire Keg backline, with the way the ball was bouncing, there was no way to be sure we would ever equalize.  But it did come (was the suspence killing you?) and perhaps ironically it started with everything that was missing in the first 20 minutes.  Although it was yours truly that got the play going at about midfield on a strong backmark, I was not the only one of the defenders trying to make up for earlier mistakes – it just so happened that this series ended with a goal.  Jason and Mark combined to set Roman free and he made no mistake from about 10 yards by poking the sphere under the left diving tender.  3-3

We had more chances before the end of regulation and totally dominated the golden goal overtime.  By the goal kick delays and long out of bounds clearances, it was obvious that The Keg wanted penalties in an effort to relive last season’s glory on the very same pitch against Cat II.  The closest to scoring was again off the foot of Jason who blasted a shot off the inside of the right post just minutes before the final whistle.

Here’s how the shootout transpired:

·    Roman Zablocki – no chance for the keeper, top right corner   1-0

·    Keg keeper – way way way wide left   1-0

·    Peter Boyle Jr. – nicely saved by keeper who dove left and caught in his midsection  1-0

·    Keg – goal  1-1

·    Mark Schultes – an absolutely hammered shot to the bottom left corner ... “I was trying to go high” he said afterwards 2-1

·    Keg – missed over the bar  2-1

·    Graham Fedorak – first PK in 12 years was perfectly tucked inside the bottom of the left post   3-1

·    Keg – nicely saved by Alex who dove left and palmed it away  3-1

Thanks to the group of Cat II and III supporters at the game and at The Toucan later.  This was the first Cup game this season and it hasn’t been determined who we have next or when we play.

Next week Cataraqui I returns to regular season action with a game at Caton’s 1 at 8:30 against Portuguese Benfica.   Ciaran will be guest columnist in my absence.

Paul Blais