2009 Columbus Day Tournament - Game 2

VA RUSH NIKE - 2
HERNDON - 4


In the second game of the tournament the Nike Boys met highly ranked Herndon. The Nike Boys got off to a blistering start when Cal took a goal kick, Brett headed it on and found Ethan running at pace towards the Herndon goal. A nice shot by Ethan put the ball past the Herndon keeper and into the net. Nike boys 1 - Herndon 0.
In the 19th minute the Center Referee awarded Herndon a penalty on a very questionable handling call. This would turn out to be just one of many errors on the part of this officiating crew. Justice was served when the Herndon player hit the goal and the rebound goal was called off for an offsides penalty. Herndon equalized in the 26th minute and it was level, 1-1, at the half.
In the second half the Nike boys got off to what is becoming their customary slow start. Herndon put intense pressure on the Nike goal and scored in the 42nd and 45th minutes. Nike boys 1 - Herndon 3.
The Nike boys refused to quit and kept fighting back. In the 50th minute a Herndon player threw an elbow into Colby's face. The center referee showed a red card but was overruled by the Assistant Referee who was on the opposite side of the field an could not possibly have seen the elbow thrown. Herndon was allowed to keep 11 players on the field and the red card was rescinded. The Nike boys responded to the injustice by storming back with Nick putting the ball into the Herndon goal in the 54th minute.
The Nike boys were pushing forward for the equalizer when a Herndon player broke free to the right of the Nike goal and put the ball past Cal. Herndon 4 - Nike boys 2.
In the final minutes the Nike Boys threw everything they had at the Herndon goal and only some exceptional play from the Herndon keeper kept the Nike boys from getting the equalizer. The game ended Nike boys 2 - Herndon 4.
The officiating was abysmal at the very, very best. The Nike boys should hold their head high though. In spite of it all they pushed one of the best teams around to the limit and came within two great saves and some terrible officiating of winning this game. On to day two.