Larchmont Strikers Undefeated in Columbus Day Tourney

by Coach Joel Negrin

THE SET-UP

(October 21, 2002 ) The pride of Connecticut lined up at the Columbia/Windham Columbus Day Weekend Soccer Tournament. There were more than 300 teams on hand when the Larchmont Strikers rolled into town. Five contenders tried over two days to take down the Strikers, Larchmont Junior Soccer's travel team for boys under thirteen. Although the Strikers were missing four key players and suited up only twelve (plus two guests) no Nutmeg team could overcome the Larchmont might.

THE ROUND ROBIN

On Sunday, the Strikers took out tough Tolland and ran over the rough Ridgefield Minutemen by the same 2 - 0 score. On Monday morning, the Strikers let the high pressure Portland offense power through a goal for a 1 - 1 tie. This goal would prove momentous.

THE SEMI-FINALS

Having won their group, the Strikers advanced to the Semi-Finals. At 2:00 pm they neutered the nasty Naugatuck offense to a 4 - 0 win. After a 10 minute break (can you spell "exhausted"?) the feisty Strikers were ready to kick off once more.

THE FINALS

With the four pillaged Connecticut towns still smoldering, the Nutmegs raised a team from the entire northeast quadrant of the Commonwealth to try to stop the rampaging Strikers in the Finals.

The Strikers and NEConns forayed up and down the cold and windy field, like Mongol horsemen on the steppes of Siberia. However, under the glare of the low afternoon Autumn sun, the weary teams failed to tote. Late in the second half, stalwart Striker Co-Captain Eddy Shapiro went down with a bad ankle. Would this be the final straw to break the backs of the mighty Strikers? It seemed so, but ironic fate interceded.

With 30 seconds left in regulation time and the scoreboard still blank, North East Connecticut earned a corner kick. The NEConn coach substituted in his best corner kicker. The Strikers marked up. The perfect kick found an attacker in front of the goal. The attacker volleyed the ball high and hard into the net. The referee signaled "GOAL." The final whistle blew. Game over? NOT !

Shapiro, who happens to be a certified WYSL referee (when he's not not at his part-time job of Hommocks student) noted that the substitution was illegal. In his usual calm and reasoned manner, Shapiro so advised the field marshall, who checked with thelLinesman and the referee. Chaos ensued.

The referee blew off the goal and ordered a corner re-kick. This is a call that few of us will live long enough to see again. The re-kick was cleared with dispatch. Tie game! OVERTIME!!

If Shapiro had been on the field, would anyone have noticed the illegal substitution? Would he have marked the shooter and blunted the attack? Mortals may speculate, but will never know.

OVERTIME

In ten minutes of grueling sudden-death play, no golden goal appeared. The valiant Striker road warriors had played more than five undefeated games, scoring nine goals and yielding but one.

THE SHOOTOUT

In the shootout, Mike Costello and Mike Lewen tickled the twine, high left. Adam Frank, very precise as usual, shot low left, hit the inside of the post and the ball trickled over the line. Rudy Ruderman blasted a ball through the outstretched keeper, but, having preceded the referee's whistle, had to try again. As with the NEConn corner kick, Dame Fortune did not smile on the second attempt.

With Larchmont Keeper Jeffrey Levere thwarting the last three NEConn thrusts, the Strikers snatched the shootout 3 -2 and owned Connecticut. Trophy, tee shirts, hugs, exhilaration, sweet victory!

PERSONAL KUDOS

Levere, a guest on loan from the Panthers, took countless point blank shots to the body and handled the ball flawlessly. His large play grew to huge in the shootout.

The defensive 18 was protected by monster fullbacks, PJ (the Leg) Massey, John Wulf, Costello, Frank and Shapiro.

Nicky Dyson showed amazing energy and mature field leadership, belying his boyish appearance, while controlling the midfield with Lewen, Costello and Charlie Smith..

The Striker scorers were Ruderman (3 Goals), Dyson (2 Goals/1 Assist), Sam (the Skull) Kahler (1/1), Michael (the Touch) Levy (1/1), super-guest Matt Arnold (0/2), Smith (1/0), Breakaway Max Sauer (1/0), Costello (1/0), Shapiro (0/1) and John Wulf (0/1).

The Striker support was deep and skilled. They were ably guided by Assistant Coach Mike Costello, Sr., registered by Marjie Shapiro, funded by Rich Levy, quartered by Natan Vaisman, driven and chaperoned by Costello, Barry Lewen and Paul Massey, and inspired by the cheering of Michael Frank, Fred Arnold, Steve Wulf, Steve Shapiro, Janet and Jeff Smith, and Levy.

If I missed anyone, please attribute it to the fatigue of riding the Striker roller coaster for a thrilling 36 hours.

NEW ERA FOOTNOTE

While apologizing to a waitress for the occasional raised voice or dropped morsel, we were apprised that the players were just fine. In fact, the waitresses were flattered that several of the pre-teen players were hitting on them. (Good luck to those parents!)

ENTERPRISING FOOTNOTE

In a video store, heard over a speaker system: "Paul Massey, you are a winner! Please report to the customer service desk for a free [something or other?], . . . and bring $2,300." The announcer was, of course, a Striker who had somehow found himself in possession of a Karaoke microphone. Paul was surprised and, of course, very disappointed. (Good luck to those parents, as well!)

Joel Negrin did not get enough youth soccer when his own children were in the local programs. He's lived in Mamaroneck for 25 years and coached for 16 of them.

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