South Jersey FC vs. UPenn Dental Molars, Game 1

The first game of the CASA Spring 2007 Season was a long time coming. After two successive cancellations, Due to the field conditions, which all honesty they were better than anything we had played on before, the play was ultimately shaky. A touch at foot could just as easily hit a snag and bounce waist-high. On several occassions forward Carlos Clay had the ball in wide open space. Before a shot could be fired off, the ball would zig-zag or bounce too high. Essentially, what was a regular shot turned into a shin deflection. The chances were aplenty for South Jersey, though, and several times midfielders John Brackmann and Eric Danner over compensated for the crappy pitch by skyrocketing shots over the bar. The play of the UPenn Dental goalkeeper was certainly a factor too. SJFC struck first in the 57th minute, however, with a scrum in the penalty box that allowed Carlos Clay to trickle a shot by the UPenn Dental GK who was probably expecting a bomb. Play continued with UPenn pushing men forward, at times over-extending their midfield, allowing the solid SJ backline led by Matt Acciani to quickstart a counter attack leading to the majority of South Jersey chances. Acciani also fueled the inter-penalty box dog fights with his long throws. In the 65th minute, Acciani's efforts were rewarded when Eric Danner took his long throw on his feet and fired a shot low to the far post beating the UPenn keeper to make it 2-0. This was especially rewarding as he had been taking a beating physically the whole game. Danner celebrated fittingly and capped a great game for the former Wheaton College player. The game seemed to be sealed, but another scrum this time in the South Jersey box led to an errant UPenn goal making it 2-1 a couple minutes before time. SJFC held out with other strong efforts from new acquisition Steve Fatula, right full-back Chris Gercke, defensive midfielder Brandon Bonnette, and first time striker Adam Evans. SJFC also donned their new kelly-green uniforms sponsored by Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. and were missing such starting line-up mainstays as Jorge Montoy and Mike Mellencamp.

South Jersey FC's next game will be against a strong West Philly FC team at 11:15am on Saturday, April 14th. Last year's match-up ended in a last gasp 2-1 win for SJFC. It will assuredly be a tough match.

OTHER CASA SCORES

CASA Spring 2007 Season Schedule

Future games will surely have pictures of the new jersey.