Perfect weather met a terrible pitch as CPR 1sts met Integral Kings of the LISFL on Sunday at Verrazano Park in the 2^nd round of the Manning Cup.  For a team based around the concept of short passing and ball retention, CPR would have seemed to be at a disadvantage on the dirt patch of a soccer field. However, a well drilled and determined CPR team started the match with the intention of still playing their game and within the opening minutes had won a corner as they pressed forward.  Off Eli Vovsho's corner, Conor O'Donaghue flashed his header just wide of the far post.  CPR continued to press every time they were in possession and they slowly started to find space to pull the trigger.  With maintained pressure on the Integral goal, CPR saw several shots saved, with the most dramatic attempt coming from Danny D’Angelo who struck a blistering full volley from 22 yards out, only to find the keeper well positioned.  

CPR’s pressure finally seemed to pay off when O'Donaghue bulled his way into the box forcing the ball off the hand of an Integral defender.  Had the referee had the good sense to allow play to continue, O'Donaghue would have put CPR ahead as he coolly finished off his move with an easy finish.  However, the whistle was given and instead, O'Donaghue found himself stepping up to take the spot kick.  And, although he hit the corner, he wasn’t able to beat the fingertip save from the 6’5” keeper who pushed the ball onto the post where CPR was unable to finish on the follow up. 

Shortly thereafter a twisted knee forced Kwesi Mills-Odoi off the pitch, to be replaced by CPR’s Finnish striker, Jukka Lehto, who was coming off a hat trick the prior week.  And it wasn’t long before Lehto found himself in the thick of the action.  First, David Briefel found himself in yards of space inside the box as he had drifted away from his marker.  A well timed pass allowed him to tee up a shot which the Integral keeper was only able to parry into the path of an on charging Lehto who powered home from 6 yards out.  CPR finished the half up 1-0 and in a positive mood.  

The 2^nd half started with a similar feel and CPR continued to dominate ball possession while the back four (as they had done in the first half) continued to snuff out any Integral threat, reducing their opportunities to shots from distance.  On the other side of the ball, Briefel was finding space in front of the opposing back four and Lehto was finding space between the back four.  And off a deflected pass from Briefel, Lehto pounced to create a break away for himself, coolly finishing past the oncoming keeper.  As would be expected, the score forced Integral into pressing higher up the field, leaving their defense exposed.  And soon enough, Chris Brunet found a lane between defenders to send Lehto on his way once more.  Once again, the keeper came, once again the ball found the far corner.  3-0 to CPR and back-to-back hat tricks for Lehto.  It could have been more as both Lehto and Briefel missed headers but the damage had already been done.

CPR continued to easily see off the Integral pressure with Danny Cohen (very ably captaining for Ben Lucki in goal) having to make one big save toward the end to maintain the clean sheet.  It was an impressive squad performance and a great game to build upon as CPR works to return to the Manning Cup final. 

Final: CPR 3 – Integral Kings 0

Goals: Lehto (3)

Special mention to the back 4 and especially to Dan Cohen for keeping a clean sheet.

Good things happen when you shoot. - Anonymous