Two sharp plays. That was the only difference between the Rangers and Tekvision Lagers Legends Wednesday night in the much anticipated replay between the two squads. Playing under clear skies at Lents Park Field #1--thereby completing the "Triple Crown" of Awful Lents Park Pitches--the Rangers once again summoned a full-strength squad to reprise a match-up with one of our more memorable games this season. Taking full advantage of the summer transfer window, Dan Calkins (on loan from Blue Monk for the evening) and new player Matt Muraut came out to make sure that our side wasn't short in numbers.
As usual, the 'Gers looked sharp, scrappy and determined throughout the first half. The defense played tough against the freakishly tall Tekvision side. Scott Anderson spent most of the time marking up on the bald striker "Chris" and keeping him from asking too many questions. Fullbacks Mike Pullen, Jim Seaton, Steve Aarnio, Dan Calkins and Brian Bauman (as well as others) also worked hard to keep Tek's offensive efforts at bay, including a dramatic goal line clearance. Play was predominantly in our half, but just before halftime Steve Aarnio got his head to a cross that was over the bar and Dan Holstein put back a goalkeeping clearance that made the Lagers nervous.
Despite many minutes spent chasing after the ball when it went out of touch and dodging traffic along Holgate, the teams battled pretty evenly for the first twenty minutes after the restart. Tekvision scored around the 65th minute with a quick through ball that was, in all fairness, deftly played. Bauman nullified a second charge from the left with a crunching slide tackle at the edge of the box-ish that sent Tek clamoring for a penalty call, but to no avail. Their second goal came about ten minutes from time off a monster throw-in that was headed in.
McKenzie Anderson finished her three-peat tour of duty as Junior Ranger and, despite eight regular players being on the disabled list or on travel (stupid work commitments!), the team once again put in a competitive performance. Next week the squad moves to the artificial turf goodness at Delta Strasser for a match against struggling NE Portland Chiropractic, so if any of you Ranger fans have been waiting to come out and watch, this would be the match to see. Seriously. Strasser Field has bleachers and everything. All the cool kids are going to be there. You should, too.
Sean Ingersoll
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