Northview Titans Junior Varsity Boys Game Summary
Northview v. Peachtree Ridge - 1-1
March 9th
The Titans’ team, which was captained tonight by Ross Cantrell and Russell Bradford, kicked-off in a 4-4-2 formation with the starting line-up being:
Carter Rhoad
CJ Jones Caulin Collier Jarrod Neser Steve Whiteside
Brandon Burton Chase Collier Ross Cantrell Chad Elsey
Russell Bradford Steve Kim
This game got off to a fast & furious start. Within 90 seconds, Northview won a free kick just inside the Peachtree Ridge Lions’ half. Jarrod Neser took the free kick and his cross went over the top of the defense to the back post where Chad Elsey was waiting to put the Titans ahead 1 – 0. Unfortunately, Peachtree Ridge came straight back and equalized within 1 minute.
Just like the weather this was a whirlwind start but the game, and the action, went downhill from then on. The Lions won the first corner of the game in the 12th minute & the in-swinging corner was headed back towards the corner-taker whose second cross was collected cleanly by Carter Rhoad. In the next minute, the Titans pressed the Lions and from one of Jarrod Neser’s trade mark long throws into the penalty area, the Lions cleared the ball & quickly counterattacked. Fortunately Caulin Collier & CJ Jones were on hand to help Carter Rhoad.
The Titans’ second shot of the game occurred in the 15th minute when Chase Collier shot from outside the box but the keeper saved it fairly easily. Shortly thereafter, Gio Perazza, who was carrying an injury from the previous game, came on for Ross Cantrell. A few moments later, Chase Collier was replaced by Andy Chen who made his season debut as a striker, with Russell Bradford dropping back into midfield. In the 25th minute, Ross Cantrell substituted for Gio Perazza whose injury appeared to flare up.
Northview were living dangerously since the Lions’ wingers had several chances as they broke from the flanks & shot wide. Logan Greenburg replaced Brandon Burton just before a Lions’ player, in a move similar to one by Norcross three nights earlier, picked up the ball before it went out of play. Instead of being under pressure, the Titans’ defense was able to clear the ball from the free kick.
With 4 minutes left, Mike Driscoll replaced Andy Chen. The score remained 1 -1 at half time with the Lions definitely having the better of the first half.
Northview kicked off the 2nd half with the wind swirling but frequently at their backs. In the 41st minute, Mike Driscoll took Northview’s third shot on goal, a long range one from outside the box & it was saved by the Lions’ keeper.
In the 55th minute, the Titans had CJ Jones to thank for keeping the score level. The Lions had broken down the right side of the field, when the ball was played to a forward, who was open just inside the penalty box with a clear shot on goal. CJ made the defensive play of the game as he blocked the shot & cleared the ball.
A few minutes later, Carter Rhoad pulled off a wonderful finger-tip save from a free kick just outside the box. In the last 10 minutes, the Lions had three more good goal-scoring opportunities but the Titan’s defense held and the game ended, tied 1 – 1.
Not a good performance by the Titans, but even so, they were clearly better than the two referees. No need to say anymore.
