Northview Titans Junior Varsity Boys Game Summary
Northview v. Norcross - 4-2
March 6th
The team, which did not announce any captains today, kicked-off in a 4-4-2 formation with the starting line-up being:-
Carter Rhoad
Gio Perazza Caulin Collier Jarrod Neser Steve Whiteside
Chad Elsey Chase Collier Mike Driscoll Josh Taylor
Russell Bradford C J Jones
It was almost one year to the day since the Titans endured a horrendous night in Norcross when it was cold and very rainy and the Blue Devils ran out as victors 7 – 0. The start tonight did not look any better as Norcross scored in the second minute of play and then forced a good save from the Titan’s goalkeeper, Carter Rhoad, a couple of minutes later. In the 7th minute, Norcross won a free kick four yards outside of the Titan penalty area and the Titan defense charged too early forcing the kick to be re-taken. On their second attempt, the Blue Devils hit the Titan goalpost before winning a corner.
After ten minutes neither team was playing particularly well although Norcross had several chances and led 1 – 0. Gio Perazza suffered a back injury and had to come out of the game. He was replaced by Ross Cantrell and at the same time Mike Driscoll was substituted out for Steve Kim. In the 11th minute Russell Bradford won the ball on the right wing, took the ball into the penalty area but his shot came back off the Norcross goalpost. Chase Collier was following up and placed the rebound into an empty net to tie the game at 1 – 1. Two minutes later Norcross won a very dubious free kick one yard outside of the Titan penalty box and hit an unstoppable shot past Carter Rhoad to retake the lead 2 – 1.
In the 17th minute the Titans won a free kick on the right wing. Rather than allow advantage as the Titan player continued on with the ball, the referee stopped play. As it turned out, it was a good move for the Titans because they scored from the resulting free kick. The cross came into the six yard box and under pressure from the Titan offense the goalie dropped the ball and C J Jones was on hand to tap in the loose ball and tie the game a second time at 2 – 2. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils goalie was hurt in the play and the game was halted for several minutes whilst he received treatment. Once play resumed the Titans survived a scare as one Norcross player hit a great shot from 25 yards that cannoned back off the bar.
Steve Whitesides was playing in a more central midfield position rather than at left back and he broke up several Norcross moves which were beginning near the center circle. Brandon Burton entered the game in the 22nd minute as he replaced Josh Taylor. Shortly thereafter Jarrod Neser took one of his long throws near the Norcross penalty area and as the ball went to Mike Driscoll he got off a shot which was deflected for another throw-in. In the 27th minute the Titans won a corner which Chad Elsey played short to Russell Bradford and the Norcross goalie was unable to hold on to Russell’s shot as the Titans took the lead 3 – 2.
Logan Greenburg came on with five minutes left in the first half and soon afterwards the Titans won an unusual free kick. Caulin Collier was playing his usual solid game at sweeper and he cleared the ball towards the Titan bench, however, a Norcross forward was obviously confused with the various lines on the field picked up the ball believing Norcross had won a throw. The ball was still in play so the titans were awarded a free kick.
Sebastian Czech came into the game as a striker for the start of the second half and after seven minutes, had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be called offside. Northview continued pressing and won an indirect free kick 26 yards out. Jarrod Neser had the ball nudged towards him and his free kick which was on target, was fumbled by the goalie. For the next ten minutes Norcross put the Titans under pressure and were very dangerous running into the box. Northview defended well with Carter Rhoad diving bravely at the feet of Norcross forwards and midfielders Josh Taylor and Mike Driscoll both dropping back to help the defense.
In the 55th minute the Titans extended their lead as Jarrod Neser took a free kick from the left side of the field. His cross was met by Josh Taylor coming in from the right side of the penalty box and he volleyed the ball passed the Blue Devils goalie to make it 4 – 2. With 11 minutes left, the Titans had a nice move down the left wing with Ross Cantrell, Steve Kim and Josh Taylor combining well before offside was called. From the kick Norcross had a fast break which forced Carter Rhoad into a diving save that gave Norcross a corner. Rick Van Patten, Bader Kashlan and Logan Greenburg all came on to help the Titan defense in the latter stages of the game as Norcross pushed for another goal and forced Carter Rhoad to make several diving saves.
The Titans held firm and won the game 4 – 2.
