So as the title suggests, I've been a little lazy over the past month or so. Really that's not true, I've been really busy and just don't feel like sitting down and writing after sitting at a computer all day. Well today is your lucky day!
Since we are now in the playoffs (I won't spoil how we did yet) I am going to attempt to rehash the final five games plus our first round playoff game. Enjoy!
Game 5: Mean Machine vs. Love Soup
Our worst performance of the year. a 3-3 draw against a good team that had a player sent off early in the second half. Took a 3-2 lead with a few minutes remaining but gave up the equalizer just before the final whistle.
Game 6: Mean Machine vs. Oconee FC
In the first game of a double header day we faced off against our top of the table rival. After an abysmal start, which included a few regrettable errors by yours truly we found ourselves down 3-0 at the half. We turned it on in the second half and roared back to a 4-3 lead with only ticks of the clock remaining. Unfortunately the late goal bug bit us again and we ended with a well deserved point that we all would have gladly accepted at half time. Final: 4-4
Game 7: Mean Machine vs. Street Fighters B
In the second game of the day we looked to keep our offensive hot streak running and came out firing on all cylinders. But after an early 3-0 lead we pulled off the gas a bit and found ourselves quickly back in a 3-2 game. However, a couple of insurance goals late gave us the edge we needed to hold off a last gasp comeback as we escaped with a 5-4 victory.
Game 8: Mean Machine vs. Owen International
Potentially our best all around game of the year. We scored early and often in the first half, then locked up shop defensively in the second half. An easy 6-1 victory was a welcome result after a tough run of results the past few weeks.
Game 9: Mean Machine victory by forfeit over Los Diablos Royale
Playoffs Quaterfinals: Mean Machine vs. Team Majestic
A first round playoff match up against the summer league champs wasn't exactly the reward we expected for finishing undefeated and 2nd in the league. But so was our fate as we faced off against a talented 7 seed. A slow start saw us take a 1-0 deficit into halftime and a second tally minutes into the second half was not what the doctor ordered as we now found ourselves down 2-0 with 20 minutes left in our season. But good teams find ways to win, and the Mean Machine were determined to equalise. Two goals in quick succession tied the game up and as time expired we found ourselves heading into a golden goal overtime. But drama was not to be had as overtime ended as quickly as it started. After Team Majestic took the opposing kickoff, we regained possession and they did not touch the ball for the remainder of the game. After possessing the ball in our defensive third for nearly two minutes our left back picked out a midfielder with a cross field switch. After surveying his options, our midfielder played a cross-come-shot that was screened by our streaking striker and somehow crawled it's way into the goal for the winner. The anti-climatic victory was ours! We take off for Thanksgiving this weekend but resume with the semi-finals on December 5th. Yes, you read that right, December 5th. The finals will be played on December 12th, outdoors. I love Georgia.
Final Regular Season Stats:
Mean Machine: 7-0-2
Goals Against: 19 (second fewest in the league)
