Bailey Blog: Mission Accomplished!

Mission accomplished! We have just landed and are back in Rohnert Park safe and sound. The final days of our trip were amazing and proved to be both a test of character and will.

The Chaminade game was a very interesting game to say the least. We dominated much of the play, but didn’t seem to be able to find the back of the net. The culmination of a solid defense effort on their part, slippery field conditions and a slight lack of sharpness found us down one goal midway through the first half. Scott was the first to find the back of the net for us, banging home a header off a corner. The game was a little chippy for the rest of the day, but we stayed sharp for the rest of the half and scored two more to give us a comfortable lead going into half. The second goal came from me, a shot from about the top of the penalty box that found its way past the goalie, and the third came from Nathan, a nice finish after a great cross from the left.

A comfortable lead going into the second half, and a tired opponent would see us not only sit on the lead but continue the fireworks. Not long into the second half Stu would step us and bend a shot around the wall on a free kick, pretty much crushing any idea that there would be a comeback. Ross would add two more on the day, one by penalty kick, and the other coming right off of their kick off. Ross would steal the ball from the defender near the corner of the penalty box on the left, take a touch inside and hit a wonderfully bended ball to the back post. An interesting game, which felt easy, but saw us have to fight for the first thirty minutes and lose Brook for the day because he was hit in the mouth, requiring stitches.

The final game of the trip was one we almost gave away. HPU were very determined to play the role of David to our Goliath, as they packed it in and brought their hard hats and lunch buckets. The field was pretty miserable, as was the wind and the fact that there were only two refs for most of the game. Despite all that we dominated the first half but could not find the back of the net. The second half saw our inspired reserves come in and give us a boost that we had been missing in the first half.

With the wind directly in our face Alan Grady would be the first to find the net on this day. A shot from Ross was saved by the keeper back out to Mark on the left side, who would bring the ball back in and lay it off for Grady to hammer home.

Lafon would join in on the scoring party that was our Hawaii trip blasting home a penalty kick after their goalie had fouled Cam.

There was about twenty minutes left at this point and we could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yet the story of the day was less how well we played, but the fact that we almost gave the game away. A rare mistake in the back saw HPU find its first goal less than ten minutes later which lit a fire under them. Coupled with their determination, and our lack of will to put this game away, we would watch as they would find the equalizer with little time to spare as they flicked the ball on from a goal kick and hit a volley past Brook. We were unable to end it in regulation, but I was sure that our team would find the winner in overtime.

Both teams fought hard in overtime, and we continued to dominate the run of play and buckled up for a bumpy ride. In the waning moments of the game we pushed forward for one last effort. Passing the ball around beautifully, Nate found himself in front of the goal only to be denied by their goalie. The ball was saved wide as Cam tracked it down and whipped it back post were I was waiting. Seeing a golden opportunity I leaped up and slotted the ball home with my head and pandemonium ensued. The winner was with only twenty five seconds left, and on this day we showed that we have the will to win close games, but we are not invincible.

Exasperated from the trip, with three wins tucked under our belts, we packed up and headed for home, but not after hitting the beach one more time. The flight home was a treat as well as Scott’s mom was our flight attendant and treated us to a wonderful time. She served us hot dogs and chips and helped bring a wonderful end to a wonderful trip. After getting in late we headed back to rest up and prepare for SPU and Western this weekend. Once again this is Andrew Bailey signing out.