MERIDIAN, Idaho- On a day members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins cracked champagne as the Green Bay Packers' run at a perfect season came to an end, Just 4 Kicks would not let its season be derailed by a sluggish performance.
It was ugly, but Just 4 Kicks got the job done in a 16-10 win against The New Bu Rising, Sunday night at the Idaho Soccer Center. Tara led the way with four goals (eight points) in a furious second-half rally.
Just 4 Kicks (3-0) faced its first deficit of the season in the first half, trailing 3-2 after a female goal for the New Bu's made things interesting. One of The Kicks's subs (a female) scored a goal to swing the advantage, and Beck added a tally to push the lead to 5-3. The Bu's scored a contested goal with less than a minute to go in the half off a rebound/hand ball to tie the match as the teams went into the break.
The Kicks were a different team in the second half, thanks in large part to Tara and Thomas. Tara finished four shots to put the game out of reach. Thomas, who scored twice in the half, had a hand in all of Tara's goals. Even with Thomas' play in the attacking third, it took a mix of finesse touches and powerful strikes from Tara to light up the scoreboard the way Just 4 Kicks has grown accustom to.
Casey provided the final margin, flicking on a pass from Jess that creeped into the net with less than 30 seconds left.
The most entertaining goal was another assist from Jess. Looking to put a ball in the box and create a chance for The Kicks, Jess launched a cross into the box (perhaps an arrant shot, but that's irrelevant) that drilled Thomas in the chest. Out of sheer self-defense Thomas shielded himself toward the goal and the ball deflected into the back of the net.
With the defensive enforcer Libby out for this game, Just 4 Kicks struggled in front of its own goal. Casey was the last line of defense in the first half, before Mike took over in goal for the second half. The two keepers saw the most shots on goal this season and let a few slip through their hands. Mike alone had all three goals allowed go off his hands, including one over his head that was a real disappointment.
Mike started the scoring with his third goal of the season, less than two minutes into the game off a feed from Thomas. It was the start of a theme during the game with Thomas setting up countless goals and attempts for The Kicks.
Vin also scored in the first half. He did not tally a goal in the second half, marking the first time this season he did not reach his limit. Just 4 Kicks' offensive attack was also missing Ike and his 2.0 goal per game average.
Between the missing links and The New Bu Rising presenting the stiffest challenge thus far, Just 4 Kicks had to dig a little deeper to pull out this win. Despite the six-point cushion, every team member was seen breathing a sigh of relief once the final buzzer sounded.
Just 4 Kicks and their fans must wait another two weeks (at least) for the much-anticipated debut of Kelly, who couldn't make it Sunday, because she was busy selling shafts and balls at Dick's. (Golf people, sheesh).
ISC Indoor takes a break for Christmas, but Just 4 Kicks will be back in action on New Year's Day at 4 p.m. (MT), against Meet the Machine. There is no scouting report available on the Machine, as we have not met previously.
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