Sweet Victory 7-5
by Janet Liao & Erin Dorr
Last night was our chance to avoid becoming the worst team in the league. With two of our best players out again (Chris M. and Joel suffering ankle and thigh debilitating injuries that prevented them from being able to play or be spectators) our chances of not losing was extremely iffy.
But with the strong support of our team members’ significant others—the skills of Sarah’s swift husband Chris W. and Piotr (Janet’s bf) Euro-inspired moves—and the excellent efforts by everyone on the team, Team Orange totally dominated, for once!
The showdown started at 9 p.m., and it took a turn from our usual fashion: letting the other team score the first goal. See, we’re usually nice like that. But not last night.
Erin prepares for a block.
After the usual cordialities were exchanged (shin-kicking, head butting, wall smashing), we felt confident in proceeding with our highly calculated strategy, a.k.a., Don’t Lose and Don’t Touch the Ball With Your Hands [and elbows...Ross]. Tad scored the first goal of the night, and set the tone for the remainder of the evening. We even scored before the other team did.
With a solid strategy in place, we’re playing much better as a team. And some team members are slowly understanding what “Get on the goal side [insert mild expletive of your choice] ” means. Of course, we couldn’t have won without a cohesive team effort from everyone:
The key to a good offense is...DEFENSE!
Erin: Erin spent most of the night in goal blocking many key shots (only one snuck past her), discovering that she may have a hidden talent of preventing flying balls from getting into a net. “I’d like to say I never had a handball, only one foul, and I only thought once about how I was missing the third episode of season 5 of LOST.”
Tad: As the high-scorer on our team (3 for last night’s game), he says, “The highlight of the game was going back through the handshake line to congratulate my teammates.” Awww.
Tegan: Tegan spent five super sweet minutes as goalie, which resulted in some major blocked shots. She even has the bruises to show it. “The highlight of the game was definitely Tad’s sweet direct kick goal that no one even saw. You know you’re getting good when your team doesn’t notice when it scores. Oh, and after our female-heavy first half yesterday, Riley suggested we change the name of our team to Ladies’ Night.” Maybe more people will come out to watch us?
Michelle: Even though she didn’t technically score, Michelle was less than three feet away from the goal when Tad scored the first goal of the game. “I think I was sending him some positive mental vibes, without which we would have never won. I was also the third person to arrive at the game. That counts for something, right? Oh, and I lent Tegan my extra t-shirt. If I hadn’t, she couldn’t have played.”
Janet: Thanks to a brilliant assist by Sara and Chris W. and the rare skill of being at the right place and the right time—yes without GPS or Google Maps this time—Janet scored her first goal (in her life)—and will possibly lose another toenail.
Team Orange, attacks!
Riley: This dude is on California time, and even though he arrives a bit late to the games, his chill fresh energy and all-around awesome skills—and occasional foul—kept the other team in check. But it’s all good. “I gave some great high fives to the losing team at the end of the game! Big smiles also!”
Ross: Highlight: Michelle’s goal. Oh, wait …Biggest Contribution: Finally learning that a “hand ball” doesn’t necessarily involve you touching the ball with your hand. “Keep ‘em crossed.”
Sara W.: “We scored first! That sort of set the tone for us. My strongest contribution was the assist I had on Janet’s awesome goal!”
Nothing but net!
Chris W. (via Sara W): “Chris said the goal he scored was a “nutmeg,” meaning he kicked it in between the goalie’s legs.”
Piotr: The two-goal man could not be reached in time for comment but would probably say, “Na zdrowie!” Cheers!
Joel: I contributed absolutely nothing, although there is an argument to be made that my absence contributed to the victory. We are 0-1 when I play, 1-1 when I don’t. I plan on playing next week, though….
Orange in action!
After the game, a few us went to re-hydrate ourselves at Uncle Julios and reminisce over a win that we will surely not be able to duplicate.
Michelle, you also helped out by almost accidentally lending Tegan your underwear, as well.
Wow, I guess I contributed more than even I thought! I knew I should have been named MVP of the game.
wait wait wait, California time, what’s that?