State Game 3 -   Hoover White vs. Xtreme- September 30, 2006

The Xtreme hit the road on Saturday and headed to Birmingham to take on the Hoover Phantoms White. This is the second time the team faced Hoover White and could the Xtreme stay focused on this game and not look ahead to Sunday’s big game.

The Xtreme was ready to play and it only took two minutes for the team to put one in to the net. Michael made a beautiful run and beat the defense on a through ball from Trevor. Michael showed patience and settled the ball and set up for a shot. Michael took one of his famous canon shots on to a charging goalie, who made a great play. The ball went off the goalie and on to the pitch and Michael followed up again in to an empty net.

Just 4 minutes later our attacking midfielder, Evan, got the ball to his feet just outside the 18. He had no pressure on him and, as we all know, is dangerous from this distance. Evan played a perfectly lofted shot that came down just under the crossbar and over the goalies hands.

Only minutes late Reid played a beautiful split between two defenders to find Devin on a great run. Devin used his great speed and put himself in a 1v1 situation with the goalie. Devin was poised and sized up the situation; looking for the right time to strike. The goalie charged and Devin played the ball beautifully to the far post and beyond the goalie outstretched hands to give the team a 3-0 lead only 13 minutes in to the game.

The pressure continued and the Xtreme was able to get more and more scoring opportunities. In the 30th minute Evan served a corner beautifully in front of the Phantom’s goal. It was our defenseman, Cody, who pushed up the field and into the box to get a head on the ball and put it into the net. What a great goal! When the defense gets involved in the attack it really shows that the team knows how to utilize the field and each other. This was the way the first half would come to an end with the Xtreme up 4-0.

With the game well in had it was now a time to give the players opportunities to play some different roles on the field. In the 41st minute of the game it was Robert, one of our defenseman playing in the striker role, who served a beautiful ball to the middle. Devin received the cross and unselfishly played again across to a wide open Taylor. Taylor one touched the cross in to the back of the net to start the scoring for the second half.

4 minutes later the team was awarded a direct kick and Reid took the kick. Reid served the ball in to the box perfectly, right on to a charging striker. It was Taylor that got his head on the ball to redirect the ball in to the net. Taylor scores back to back goals and puts the team up 6-0.

In the 51st minute Michael, playing the defensive midfield role, switched the ball to an open run by Evan. Evan settled the ball and hammered it in to the back of the net. This was Evan’s second goal of the game.

Reid got involved again late in the game serving the ball in to the box. The service found Teachey making a great weak side run. Teachey took two touches on the ball and put it past the goalie and finish off the scoring for the Xtreme.

The Xtreme took care of business today and earned a valuable 3 points in the State League. The team now is in second place in points and plays the first place Shelby County Strikers on Sunday for first place in the league. It’s going to be a great game.