Game 1 recap: Storm Spring Forward

April 3, 2011.  Elm Grove Park deep in the South Hills.  The Dynamo Storm started the spring campaign with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Peters Township.  The Storm dominated early with hustle to the ball and clever passes.  They had several quality chances, but the score was zero to zero at the half.  Ten minutes into the second period Ben Udler struck a gorgeous corner kick that arched high over the goalie's arms and curved toward the back pole.  Joe DiPietro ran in the from the 18 and put a forehead on the ball to send it into the net.   Peters Township did not want to lose and they turned up the energy, and the physicality.  There were a few close calls and one friendly cross bar, but the Storm defense did not yield.  Then with about 15 minutes left in the match, Noah McDaniel received a pass at midfield.  His first touch was a good one, sending the ball back and at an angle toward midfield.  Noah stepped toward the ball with a defender following a half step behind.  He then struck it, sending the ball lofting downfield and just over the last defender's head.  It was a nice finesse touch.  Tamir Frank ran past the defender and caught the ball on his foot, caroming it forward and toward the right side of the goal.  Running and gathering himself while shielding the recovering center back, Tamir struck the ball in the air across the goalie's body and toward the far post.  The goalie lunged and got a hand on the ball but Tamir's strike had enough power to push through and into the goal.  It was a strong and agile play by Tamir.

The shut out needs to be celebrated.  It started at midfield.  Everyone who played midfield made it incredibly difficult for the PT boys to advance the ball.  And when PT got past midfield they had to deal with Joe at stopper.  And if they got past Joe they had Mark Rollman to contend with.  And if they go past Mark they had to talk to Miles Martin and Miles was not interested in letting any goals in.  Oh, and if they wanted to sneak around the corners, well there was Sterlling and Lawson manning the flanks.  Sterling and Lawson did not allow one good crossing pass the entire game.  AND the defense pretty much went the distance and saved the subs for midfield.  Quick hits:  Miles had a fantastic save in the first half.  An PT boy had a one-on-one opportunity and got off a strong strike to the far post.  But Miles lunged back and pushed it wide with two hands.  In the second half Lawson Fisher had ANOTHER miracle save where an equalizing  ball was rolling past a prostrate Miles and Lawson stepped across the goal and cleared it while it was partially through the plane.  Sean Lebovitz had an excellent travel debut.  He had good ideas about what to do with the ball and his passes were on target.

Said Coach Phil, "Peters is a good team and I am excited for the win and the clean sheet.  We lost 3-2 to these guys in the fall so you could say that defense was the difference.  Robinson really pressed after we got that first goal but our boys withstood the surge and then were able to put the game away.  I thought each boy tried his very best, and that they all played selflessly.  It was exciting as heck to watch.  This week I think we'll spend some time talking about those crossing passes from Tamir - you never know what surprises you are going to see each game - and how the other boys can be ready for them."