Coming off a 4-0 win over Tillsonburg a week earlier, St. Columban put Hispanos back on their heels in the early going.  Hispanos had difficulty getting out of their own end in the opening minutes of the game as St. Columban's co-operative passing style readily penetrated their offensive zone.

 

 

K. Ryan, #16 for St. Columban, connected early at 6 minutes to put their team up 1-nil.  It was not a terribly hard shot that found its way in, but it was well-placed (on the left side of the goal) and demonstrated some offensive confidence and control.  It was his 5th goal this season and the 15th for the team.

 

 

Only after this did Hispanos find the motivation to challenge their opponent in the mid-field areas and effectively break up St. Columban's offensive playmaking.  The two teams were perhaps equally matched in speed, however in terms of size the St. Columban defenders outweighed Hispanos' strikers by a wide margin and even challenged them in terms of agility.

 

 

Hispanos did find some success moving the ball up field, however the defenders clogged up the middle and worked the Hispanos forwards out of the passing lanes.  This forced Hispanos' forwards to the outside in order to make their shots, few of which were hard or accurate enough to seriously challenge the St. Columban keeper.

 

 

The second half saw Hispanos coming out with renewed determination, with their opponent equally steadfast in maintaining their style of play.  St. Columban was not always successful in working the ball up the field, but when they were, it was a team affair.

 

 

About two-thirds of the action throughout the second half was in Hispanos' zone, yet their keeper was up to the task, making several fine saves, including one diving save, and another on a hard top corner attempt.  Hispanos passion for the game did not wane, yet for them the second half was similar to much of the first.  St. Columban kept four big defenders at the line at all times and pushed the team in blue to the outside on most if not all of their drives.

 

 

They remained patient, moving forward as a unit when they could - putting on some real pressure in order to add to the score in the final minutes.  Hispanos has earned 9 goals so far this year, yet in this match they did not add to their total.  St. Columban went on to complete the game with a score of 1-0. JHS