In the match summary from last week, the manager was lamenting the cruel streak of bad luck Rangers have suffered the first three weeks of the spring season:
"Having been drubbed the first week, losing at the death the second week, and now coming up short in an abbreviated match the third week, the Rangers are cautiously hopeful our fortunes will turn for the better...because barring a giant meteor striking us all dead next week, I am not sure what new misfortunes the Soccer Gods might have in store for us."
While a flaming chunk of space debris didn't crash into the pitch, I apparently should have added "going up 2-0 early in glorious fashion against a strong team only to lose in part due to the manager's own goal" to the list of potential misfortunes, because that's exactly what happened Wednesday night at the Montessori Earth School when Rangers played new O-30 Third Division squad No Subs. Damn you, Soccer Gods! Damn you to hell!
'Gers fielded a comfortable complement of fifteen players for the inaugural match against No Subs, fullback Dave Hayden's former team. With regular goalkeeper out due to work commitments, Dan Calkins graciously pulled on the gloves and gave a spirited performance between the sticks. Fronting Dan on the back line were Hayden, Brian Bauman, Jim Snyder, and Jim Seaton. Gary Foubister, Aaron Radigan, Matt Muralt and Mark Vogel started in the center of the 4-4-2 and Ron King and James McConnanchie championed the strike force. Subs Sean Ingersoll, Ron Burden, Dario Lemos, and Bullie Sibanda filled out the roster for the match, which, it should be noted, started right on time. Ahem.
Having heard that No Subs tied Bridgetown FC 1-1, the home side was a little concerned about the former second division team. Their first run down the left side, ending in a missed shot over the left post, suggested it could be a long evening...but 'Gers showed their own kind of spunk and took the ball back down the pitch with intent. McConnachie's bold challenge on their keeper's clearance caught him squarely in the chest and ricocheted back toward their goal. While the goalie collected the ball shy of the goal line, it was a good opportunity and seemed to invigorate the team. A few series later, not even ten minutes into the match, Foubister set up Radigan for the opener from near the top of their box and Rangers were in the lead for the first time all spring. The dream start was extended when, around the eighteenth minute, McConnachie played his "classic video game corner kick" short to Muralt who blasted a nervy shot from wide on the left. The sharp angle drive smacked against the inside of the far post and snapped back into the net for a 2-0 lead. No Subs were stunned, Rangers were ecstatic, and the tempo was definitely on our side. The fullbacks took control of the No Subs attacks, Calkins had no reservations about leaving his line to scoop up the ball, and the midfielders chipped, hacked and battled for control of the center of the pitch. A third goal looked promising when Sibanda was expertly played through the middle and, alone with the keeper at the eighteen yard line, saw his left footed chip bang off the upper right corner of the crossbar. No Subs regrouped and scored around the 35th minute on a corner kick; a long ball across the goal mouth was met with a bouncing header to the far post, but the half time mood was still good under Bauman's canopy tent and luck seemed to be on our side.
Stupid Soccer Gods. No Subs played better possession the second half and started making more organized runs along the flanks. The defense played good "safety first" ball and Calkins cleared two through passes from well outside the box. Foubister took a shot from a good thirty-five yards out that looked promising against their short keeper, but was ultimately grabbed shy of the woodwork. Around the hour mark, a No Sub passing sequence on the right side broke their striker in towards our box and his cross actually turned out to be a pretty good shot. Calkins bolted right and made a spectacular save--fully horizontal, a good three feet off the ground, real Wallbangers photo type of pose. I remember this quite clearly because as right fullback, I was sprinting toward the goal to keep the other striker at bay. Seeing Dan punch away the shot, I thought: "Is it going in? Nice save! HOLY SHIT THE BALL IS FLYING TOWARDS MY FACE!" Sadly, tragically it smacked off me and landed in the back of our net. I let out one of my trademarked roaring profanities in utter defeat. Hint: It rhymes with duck! You know it's unfortunate when the opposing striker pats you on the shoulder and says without the least bit of sarcasm, "Dude, that's unlucky."
Our squad is totally cool and, although still semi-catatonic with rage, I distinctly remember nothing but encouragement and support as we lined up for the kick-off. Play continued in much the same spirit as before. No Subs collected their third with about fifteen minutes to play from another right side run. 'Gers looked to equalize late in the match by putting ten people in potential scoring positions on a corner kick with Calkins poised on their side of the center line, but the last few shots went just wide. Everybody played a solid match and we definitely stepped up our game from the previous week. Bauman even got a little tear from the opposition, methinks.
However, in the end, the match can best be summed up in the words of the opposition: "Dude, that's unlucky."
Kendall Ingersoll and Stella Bauman ("Be Aware!") were Junior Rangers for the Match Day Four while Becki Ingersoll was official match photographer. Next week we play NE Portland Chiropractic and I suppose I should come up with some rousing spinal care pun, but I just don't have it in me yet.
Cheers!
Sean-Scott Ingersoll
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