Winter Showcase - U18's Game 1, Friday December 5, 2008

Under sunny skies, cool temperatures, a stiff wind, and less than ideal field conditions the Bolts 2008 - 2009 Development Academy season got underway. Game 1 for 18's was against the LA Galaxy from the SoCal division. LA Galaxy came into the match with a 3-3 conference record and a 5-7 overall record for their 2008-2009 season, while the 18's arrived with a 0-0 record, a handful of team practices, a single scrimmage win against Seacoast United, and having traveled 8 - 14 hours the previous day.

The boys were fired up and ready to play!! Was it the Southern Cal venue or pit stop at In and Out burgers that most made on journey from LAX to Lancaster???

Coach Stewart and Coach Margoulis had a starting 4-5-1 formation with Charlie Rugg as the lone striker. The midfield consisted of Kaeghan Kelly and Gideon Gyasi at outside mids, Chris Pettiglio, Sam Kelley, and Josh Danesh holding down center mid, Sean Fitzgerald and Tim James at outside back, Will Donovan and Brendan Caslin at center back, and James Smith in goal.

Play was fast right from the opening whistle and we did not look like a team that had only played together for a couple of weeks!!! We pressed their defense, made some brilliant runs down the outside of the field, and kept the Galaxy out of the offensive third of the field.

LA struck first though. In the 33rd minute, a missed pass resulted in a 3 on 2 break and the Galaxy found the back of the net. We pressed back and in the 41st minute Charlie Rugg beat two defenders, drove the ball from 20 yards out and hit the right post, for the second time. Chris Pettiglio just missed the rebound but John Miller was right there, collected the rebound, and evened the score. The first half ended with the teams tied 1-1.

We started the second half a little flat and for the first 12 - 15 minutes LA had the run of play. The boys "woke up" and really started pressing the play. We had a number of chances but the Galaxy goalie was up to challenge every time. In the 70th minute James Smith went 50/50 with a Galaxy player for a ball in the box. James and the Galaxy player collided, James won the challenge but the refs awarded the Galaxy a PK. LA had a 2-1 lead with 20 minutes left in the game. The 18s fought hard for the next 18 minutes but we unable to find the back of the net. In the 89th minute Will Donovan made one of his patented runs through the midfield and into the box. He found Charlie Rugg wide open to the goalie's right. A perfect pass and a perfect finish and the game was even again. There were 2 minutes of stoppage time and when the dust settled, the score remained tied 2-2.

Next game, Sunday, December 7th at 1:00 PM (PST) vs. Washington Premier.