Match Report: Bzzzzzz

The DPR buzz saw was back in action, finally, after a long hiatus. In contrast to the last match against Baroch, where DPR struggled to eke out a 2-goal win, DPR exploded for 5 or so consecutive goals to start the second half, looking like the DPR of yore.

The match featured a little bit of everything. A team going over the limit on fouls. (Hint, it wasn't DPR). Two yellows for improper substitutions. (Hint, one of them was not against DPR). A goal by a keeper. A disallowed goal by the keeper, who curled a nasty shot from his own penalty area off the post and in.

The match featured some stellar defending by the Rangers. Paul as usual made some great saves. The only goals conceded were off of sloppy giveaways, or were the product of some bad bounces. Val, Dave and Nick marked exceptionally well, standing up the Baroch attackers and forcing the mouth-breathing one-man toxic tort to shoot harmlessly from the outside. More impressively was the way the defenders turned defense to quick offense. Clears were not aimless; they usually were passes to an open man that started a break in the other direction. That made for quick transition, and a Baroch team that was under constant pressure. The lone criticism was too much one-on-one dribbling in our own area in the first half.

A big improvement today was in the manner the team collectively pounced on loose balls. DPR won nearly every 50/50 ball, usually with 2 or 3 players converging on a ball to gain possession.

Offensively, Charlie and Dan dominated Baroch with a sober athleticism that has been rare for the team this season. The two of them were beasts, taking on defenders, and drilling shots at the mystified Baroch keeper. Nick and Mikey filled the spaces around them nicely, supporting odd-man rushes that are the key to victory. For example:

The one goal that really stick in my mind, for some reason, was the one where Nick started the play off to the left of our goal, and played to my feet. I held off the defender as Nick zipped down the sideline. I cleverly back heeled it along the line to Nick, who cut inside towards the goal, made the keeper come out, and calmly side-footed through his 5-hole.

Final Score:

DPR 11 - 5 FC Baroch
(DPR advances to Final)

Team Record: 4-1-0