This week was the home opener for BSC International. Niagara FC joined BSC in front of a whopping crowd of nearly 6 (at times) in Delaware Park, who were treated to some exciting play before the end of the match.
The pitch sported a new sign this year warning people to stay off unless they have a permit (which BSC does). Between the recent rain & the freshly cut grass, the field was in some of the best shape BSC has seen (which is still poor…). Management hopes the sign is effective in keeping people off & that we’re able to maintain a decent playing surface through the summer/fall.
As the game was on Mother’s Day, Niagara was only able to start with a squad of 10, but quickly thereafter were joined by another 2. The few minutes they were without a full squad seemed to make no difference.
The majority of the initial play took place in Niagara’s half, with BSC getting a couple potential opportunities, but no solid ones. Play continued this way until ~15 minutes in, when BSC attacker Marc Campillo was pushed down on the side of the 6 yard box & rewarded with a PK. Fellow attacker Ryan Knap took the kick & beat the Niagara keeper, breaking an ongoing PK curse.
The first half ended with nothing else noteworthy & BSC in a 1-0 lead. The first 20 minutes of the second half were also uneventful, but the last 25 included a fair amount of excitement.
Mid-fielder Joao Moreira was sidelined by a studs-up tackle from a Niagara player, resulting in a swollen shin for him & a caution for the Niagara player. Niagara nabbed their first goal shortly after on a near break & almost put in another a whiles after that – their left attacker was able to split the BSC defensive near the half, allowing him to make a break towards goal. BSC defenders & the BSC keeper caught him at the side of the penalty mark, but were deaked & left the attacker a wide open net from 6 yards out. Fortunately the soccer gods smiled upon BSC & the wind combined with the infamous Delaware Park field at just the right time to cause the ball to hop as the Niagara player attempted to strike it, sending it into the air & lofting over the net. The Niagara player was dumbfounded.
While this disaster was avoided, BSC wasn’t in the clear yet. Another Niagara attacker broke in on goal & was met by a BSC defender inside the 18, where the BSC keeper pulled him to the ground. Although arguements were made, the PK was the right call.
As the Niagara player lined up to take the kick, he had difficulty keeping the ball on the penalty line marker, due to the uneven surface of Delaware Park. He ended up placing the ball just slightly off the line – perhaps an inch at the most. In was then when BSC’s most experienced player Ken Gibson commented to the player and official the ball wasn’t on the line. It was enough to cause the kicker to physically stop, look at the ball, throw him off mentally – and then have him kick it right to BSC keeper Frank Callocchia for the save.
Another bullet dodged for BSC, the game entered the last few minutes of regulation. BSC was awarded a seemingly hamrless free kick 20 yards inside the Niagara half. Defender Rich Tylec gently nudged the ball over to fellow defender Mark Valites, who dribbled another 30 yards before passing the ball off to Ryan Wolfrom. Wolfrom headed down the right hand side of the 18 & crossed the ball back across the face of the goal. Defender Marc Petryk picked it up there & placed it neatly in the top left of the net.
The game lasted for a seemingly endless & uneventfull two additional minutes before the final whistle blew, resulting in a 2-1 BSC win, their first of the season.
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