Franklin, Oh (AP) - Mercury Morris, the oft-quoted spokesman for the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, has said, "Don't call me when someone comes to my town, call me when they're on my block," when asked about potential undefeated sports teams. Well, Mercury, it's time to welcome your new neighbors. The Dayton Cincinnati Megalopoli achieved immortality last night defeating the Knights 9-5 to finish undefeated in their inaugural season at Kingdom Rec Sports. There were times when the play was not pretty, and the Knights put up a yeoman's effort in attempts to win the game and crush the hopes of DCM fans everywhere. But, as they have done so many times, the Megalopoli showed the grit and deterimnation needed to earn the win, and accomplish what many thought would be impossible in the modern era of indoor soccer.
The game started out with DCM scoring twice quickly in the first two minutes. With the second goal, it would have appeared that the route was on. However, the Knights hung in there and scored a goal to cut the lead to one 10 minutes into the game. With the recent struggles of Megalopoli scorer Ben Sicnolf, there was a sense that the Knights could really pull off this monumental upset. It wasn't until potential League Rookie of the Year, Justin Davisson used four consecutive sole rolls to the right leaving Knight defenders in his wake on his way to a goal that the Megalopoli began to feel truly comfortable.
However, perhaps the key turning point happened a few minutes prior to Davisson's run. Clinging to a tight lead, Sicnolf blasted a shot toward the net from close range, hitting the Knight goal keeper squarely in the chest. This may have dazed the keeper for a moment, but nothing could have prepared him for what was to come next. The ball bounced back out to Kyle, who goes by a single name like Pele or Ronaldo, who was trailing the play. Kyle unleashed a shot that could not be seen by human eyes without the aid of some technology. The ball was sent toward the upper corner, leaving the goalkeeper with zero time to react. Asked about the shot after the game, Kyle, a simple man of few words, said, "I tried to kick the ball as hard as I could." The goal became undoubtedly the greatest moment in the young player's career, and probably his life altogether, and propelled the team toward victory.
In addition to Kyle and Davisson, Mark MacDonald continued his offensive terror, netting 3 additional goals, moving him into second place on the team. MacDonald scored in a variety of ways - including a nutmeg of the keeper to open the game - but one goal was especially memorable because it seems to have become a calling card of the Megalopoli throughout the year. Breaking down the left side toward the goal, MacDonald spotted an opening at the near post. Wasting no time, he fired a hard low shot, just missing the net and careening off the board. Unfortunately for the Knights, it ricocheted off the back of the goalkeeper and into the net, for Mark's third of the game. As we all know, demoralizing your opponent is often more important than actually scoring, so to achieve both aspects with one shot is truly a great play.
Though the focus for the DCM within the media is often on their goal scorers, an undefeated season just does not happen without great defense. Former field player turned goal keeper, John Pallant, continued his amazing run of victories with another great outing in the net. Though it may not have been Pallant's finest game outletting the ball, he did what he needed to do to get his team the victory. Two way players, Phil Johnson and Eddie Marrinan, got up and back throughout the game, providing the support needed up top, but continuing to defend along the way. Finally, the two stalwarts in the Megalopoli defense over the past decade were dominant as always. Dan Kimble and Zach Hensler have a unique understanding of how to play the indoor game that can only come with championship experience. And these two have championship experience by the boat load. Kimble, with his additional championships playing for University of Dayton's Club Indoor soccer team, is perhaps the most decorated indoor soccer player in Miami Valley history. Tied with Ben Sicnolf for the all time lead in caps, Kimble simply knows how to win games. And playing alongside Zach Hensler, who may have just completed the finest defensive season in his illustrious career, a near impenetrable force is made. Following the game, you could tell this win meant a lot to Kimble and Hensler, two of the remaining members from the original "Golden Generation" of indoor soccer players in the Dayton area. The two form a sort of yin and yang combination: Kimble the hard nosed enforcer, Hensler the softer, matronly player. But both will tell you the reason for their success is the same: "Kick the ball away from the other team."
In Greek mythology, the Titans were even greater than the gods. With another championship, and an undefeated season, it would appear that the Megalopoli are even greater than the Titans. Next year the team will be another year older, and their time as the dominant force in Southwest Ohio soccer may be nearing its end, but something tells me these men aren't ready to call it quits just yet.
Notes
Goals Scored: MacDonald (3), Davisson (2), Kyle (2), Sicnolf (2)
Game Ball: Zach Hensler - This was perhaps Hensler's best game in years. Few people can poke the ball away from their defender like Hensler, but it was his calming influence in the back that really made a difference yesterday. Hensler did an outstanding job of collecting the ball and distributing it to his teammates, starting the Megalopoli attack.
Final Goals Scored Tally:
Sicnolf - 21
MacDonald - 15
Davisson - 14
Marrinan - 7
Kyle - 4
Phil - 1
Kimble - 1
Graham - 1
Price - 1
Goalkeeper victories:
Pallant - 7
Hensler - .67 (Two games for a 1/3 of the game each)
Price - .33 (One game for a 1/3 of the game)
The team will be having a celebratory "Pizza Party" in the weeks to come, with details to follow.
No comments:
Post a Comment