MERIDIAN, Idaho- The hardest fought win of the season may be the most rewarding for Just 4 Kicks. The squad rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit to defeat Meet The Machine 7-4, Sunday, at the Idaho Soccer Center. Just 4 Kicks moves to 4-0 on the season.
A goal from Vinny provided the game's first tally nearly 10 minutes into the match. The slim lead lasted about five minutes as Meet the Machine used a female goal to take a 2-1 advantage. The score remained the same through the halftime break.
Vinny was the first to score in the second half as well, knotting the game at 2. Moments later, Beck pounded home a goal and Just 4 Kicks was back on top, but not out of danger. A stretch of shots on goal from the Machine reminded the Kicks the game was far from over. When Mike finally cleared the ball from the defensive third, Thomas took it off the wall and launched a rocket into the back of the net for a two-goal lead.
That margin was quickly erased after a communication breakdown from Just 4 Kicks led to another female goal and a 4-4 tie.
In the final five minutes the game was still tied and everybody's feet were starting to drag. Seeing an opportunity, Beck drove the ball toward the corner and fired a shot across the front of the goal and into the net for a late lead.
With the outcome still hanging in the balance, Jessica got the Kicks' females on the board and sealed the victory with a strike from the top of the box.
Meet the Machine presented the stiffest challenge to date, but also the most obnoxious opponent. The most vocal culprit was "Surge" aka "Red Polo". He was pretty much everything you would expect out of a guy wearing a collared shirt with some sort of European accent. He was falling all over the place and begging for calls. (Side note: His begging was worthless since we're still not sure if the referee spoke English.) The Machine's other loud member was the goalie. He was overly concerned with Just 4 Kicks' females working him. Kelly, making her season debut, really got under his skin when she slid into the box trying to make a play. From there he made sure the referee knew every time he objected to a play on the field.
The douchey duo wasn't alone in commenting on the officiating and the game's physical play. At times, the entire Machine bench made their disgust known. Jeanne more than held her own in the shit-talking department for Just 4 Kicks.
Jeanne also let her game do a lot of talking in front of the net. She allowed just two goals (both to females) and thwarted numerous attacks. The Just 4 Kicks defense struggled with allowing rebound efforts from the top of the "box," but Jeanne was there to clean it up. One series saw her swat away multiple shots while on the ground to hold onto a 3-2 lead.
Just 4 Kicks was nearly at full strength Sunday, with 10 players suited up. Ike was missing for the second-straight game. He will return next week, but Mike and Casey will both be out of town. The season resumes Jan. 8, at 6:30 p.m. against REI.
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