CPR Black vs Benito Camelas (Newon HS, Queens) - November 22, 2009

The run of good luck with weather this fall continued as the late November Sunday again offered sunny skies and mild temperatures in the high 50s.  Unfortunately, the swine-flu (or Mike D) bug struck CPR with a fury, and a squad of 14 was suddenly diminished to a mere 11 with 3 no-shows on the day.  Perhaps they were intimiated by CPR Blacks' +23 goal difference or near-perfect 5 win / 1 draw record, but for whatever reason, this marked the second time this season that Benito failed to have anything resembling a team on hand to face CPR.  After some heavy recruitting of players from the previous match, Benito got their numbers up to 8 at kickoff. 

Seeing such scant opposition on the opposite side of the pitch, it was no surprise the CPR Black opened the encounter without much urgency or intensity.  Space was so plentiful that CPR would often hold the ball longer than normal, leading to play being fairly disjointed.  Fortunately, CPR were fairly quick to recognize the weakness in their play in a sluggish first 10 minutes, and word was quickly sent to take advantage of their opponents by spreading out the pitch and making quick passes across the pitch to spread the defense.   The tactical adjustment began paying dividends almost instantly as wingers Rice and Gudkov began carving apart Benito's back line. 

Grecius opened CPRs tally with a blast from 25 yards.  He picked up a lose ball 10 yards outside the top of the area, and after one quick touch launched a swerving shot which eluded the keeper.  Otherwise, CPR proved somewhat tentative in the finishing third for the rest of the half and the 1-0 lead stood till halftime. 

As the 2nd half began, Benito continued to reinforce their numbers with early-arriving players for the mext match, bringing their squad up to a full 11 early in the 2nd half.  Unfortunately, by this point, Fetzer had continued his scoring hot-streak.  Within minutes of the restart, a CPR corner was half-cleared towards Fetzer at right back.  Without hesititation, and arguably without much aim either, Fetzer first-timed a hopeful ball back into the box from over 40 yards out.  To everyone's surprise, most notably Fetzer's, Benito's keeper caught out too far forward and the hopeful ball found its way into the back of net.

Fetzer then went on to equal Verdoux's stat line from last week as he became the 2nd player this season to record a goal and save in the same match when he relieved Rice in net after tweaking a hamstring during his goal celebration.  Despite wearing a highly-visible yellow jersey and gloves, Fetzer created some unnecessary excitement in the back when he forgot he could use his hands as goalkeeper.  After the match, it was announced that FIFA investigators would look into curious betting activity before the game after rumors arose that it was all a ruse for Fetzer to ensure his statistical acheivement. 

After the brief diversion, Greicius and Phillips combined in midfield to carve up Benito yet again, with Phillips supplying the final layoff to Greicius who increased the CPR Black lead to 3-0, placing the outcome beyond uncertainty.

Taking claim to full A-Rod status for CPR Black, Levy provided a late-brace to pad his season stats with the encounter effectively over at 3-0.  Bustamante first played Levy in to provide CPR Black's only goal scored from within the penalty area.  Levy then receive a pass from Engler about 10 yards outside the box and saw his speculative shot deflect up off a defender to lob the Benito goalkeeper, bringing the final CPR tally to 5 for the day. 

The day's comedic moments both came courtesy of new-guy Goertzen, who is quickly becoming the bruiser of the Newton league.  The laws of physics are pretty clear as to what happens when a 220lb, 6' 2" Goertzen goes shoulder-to-shoulder with a diminutive 5'9" 140lb striker.  They were in fact so clear that the referee informed Goertzen that because he is so much larger and stronger than his opponents, he is not permitted to go shoulder-to-shoulder with them.  The same striker, on a similar challenge down the sideline minutes later (coincidently with a similar result, namely him ending up on the ground as Goertzen cleared the ball) called out "referee - that's retaliation!", to which several CPR players chuckled and asked "retaliation for what - did you commit a foul?"  In true metroleague fashion, no whistles were blown and play continued. 

Final Score: 5-0

Goals:  Greicius 2 (assist Phillips), Levy 2 (assists Bustamante, Engler), Fetzer

Man of the Match:  Greicius

Team:  Bustamante, Calcagni, E Engler, Fetzer, Goertzen, Greicius, Gudkov, Levy, Lukaszewski, Phillips, Rice

Mike D's (no-shows):  Ault, Joella, Stern   (FYI - a text in the morning which says you're too hungover to make it is appreciated, but it's still a Mike D).

Team Bar Attendance:  unknown (presumed 0)

Fans:  1 (Bev, who managed to cheer while doing her speedwork on the track)