Game 1:  Jimmy Z's 5 : 2 Lakers United
      (1-0-0)                  (0-1-0)

Teamwork Paves Way to Victory

          Coming off of their first Silver Championship since Winter I 2005, BSFC show the league that they were planning on contending for another.  Despite scoring only one goal in the second half, BSFC made their mark against Lakers United by defeating them 5-2.  Corey Wolff started the scoring at the six minute mark with a one-touch pass from Nick Kaliszewski.  The two reciprocated the play just minutes later as N. Kaliszewski buried his first goal of the game.  Lakers United scored to cut the lead in half, 2-1, on a beautiful shot by a Lakers' female striker.  Jim Pilla scored for BSFC to retake the two-goal lead at 3-1.  N. Kaliszewski's second goal was immediately named top goal of the game (and could possibly be for the season!).  Steph Bowen played a great ball up the field with seven seconds remaining.  N. Kaliszewski, facing the opposing goal, whipped around quickly and used his heel to one-touch the ball for a shot.  The ball went right through the goalie's hands and the buzzer sounded.  After a short debate, the referee whistled the shot a goal and BSFC had a 4-1 halftime lead.  C. Wolff scored his second goal of the game and the lone BSFC goal of the second half.  Caitie Pomorski, former BSFC-mate, scored the Lakers' second and final goal of the game on a Penalty Kick midway through the half.  Despite playing the Lakers even (score-wise) in the second half, 1-1, BSFC dominated; out shooting the Lakers 16-5.  Gerimee Gervais and his defense did a great job only allowing two goals and the BSFC offense came through big, also.

Pointless Points-    Tuesday Games: 1-0-0        Field 1:  1-0-0

Game 2:  W-Squad 6 : 2 Jimmy Z's
              (3-0-0)             (1-1-0)

BSFC Crumbles Against Powerhouse W-Squad

          Word of this game was "BREAK"...  Lucky break, bad break, tough break, break away...  W-Squad outplayed BSFC and defeated them by four, but the score is deceiving as BSFC fell apart in the second half and W-Squad scored three late goals.  Despite their great team play, W-Squad did catch a few lucky breaks that led to break away goals as BSFC keeper, Gerimee Gervais, did not have much of a chance against 3-on-1 breakaways (Note:  Gerimee Gervais did make five saves on breakaway attempts, however, faced nine breakaways).  W-Squad scored two goals in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break.  Nick Kaliszewski scored right away in the second half to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.  W-Squad, however, retook the two goal lead with a breakaway goal just minutes later.  For the remainder of the second half, with the exception of Angie Durkin's goal, BSFC was on the wrong end of many bad and tough breaks.  Three breakaway goal opportunities were blown as the shots hit just past the posts and bounced out.  Other goal opportunities disappeared as BSFC was unable to get a good first touch on many plays.  Credit given to W-Squad for their hustle and play, but BSFC knows they can do better as a team and will have to do so as they have a very tough remaining schedule ahead of them.

Pointless Points-    Tuesday Games: 1-1-0        Field 2:  0-1-0

Game 3:  Jimmy Z's 6 : 4 Erie First Assembly
(2-1-0)             (2-1-0)

BSFC Knocks Off Undefeated First Assembly

          In a short six-game session you need every win you can get.  BSFC knew that as they took on Erie First Assembly (EFA).  BSFC needed a win against EFA for many reasons... 1) To stay alive for playoff contention; 2) To rebound from last week's loss to W-Squad; and 3) To rebuild the solid play that went missing in the loss to W-Squad.  Nick Kaliszewski scored first to put BSFC up 1-0 early, but EFA answered back quickly with two goals to take their own one-goal lead, 2-1.  Jim Pilla tied it at two with his second goal of the season and Corey Wolff scored to put BSFC back up by one, 3-2.  Just before the half EFA tied the game up at three to make that represent the halftime score.  Confident with the way they played, BSFC came out rolling in the second half.  Mike Goodelle and Erica Zinsser each scored their first goals of the session to put BSFC up 5-3.  EFA's superstar, Jeremiah, scored his third goal of the game to cut the deficit in half, 5-4, but N. Kaliszewski came through with his second goal of the game for the security.  BSFC beat off some last-minute attempts by EFA and held on to win 6-4.  BSFC played an all-around great game and fought hard to return to over .500 since their first game of the season.

Pointless Points-    Monday Games: 1-0-0        Field 2:  1-1-0

Game 4:  Jimmy Z's 2 : 1 The Cat's Lounge
  (3-1-0)              (1-3-0)

Gervais, Goodelle Help Defeat Rivals

          Different name, same color, same team... Same Rivalry:  BSFC vs. The Czech Republic.  Playing with a full sponsorship from The Cat's Lounge, the Czechs got off to a rocky start this session losing their first game before earning three points against next-to-last-place BFJ's.  Despite their rough record, BSFC figured this would be no easy game... and it wasn't.  The Czech's scored first and had momentum on their side the entire first half.  BSFC held the Czechs to the lone first half goal, but fought off many scoring opportunities.  BSFC was out shot 29-11 in the first half.  The Czechs still had some momentum going into the second half, but again BSFC, as a team, were able to shut them down.  With 14 minutes remaining in the game, Mike Goodelle scored the game-tying goal off a great feed from Erica Zinsser.  Play was even for the next few minutes until Goodelle scored again to give BSFC their first lead of the game with eleven minutes remaining in the game.  In the final ten minutes BSFC stepped up their play and held the Czechs to just seven shots on goal.  BSFC keeper, Gerimee Gervais, played solid the entire game, but came up huge in the final ten minutes to preserve the one-goal victory. 

Pointless Points-    Monday Games: 2-0-0        Field 1:  2-0-0

Game 5:  Jimmy Z's 5 : 5 Chivas
                    (3-1-1)              (3-1-1)

Back and Forth Game Ends in Draw

          The last time these two teams played was almost a year ago in the Spring 2006 Silver Finals.  Chivas, then named Purple Ribbon All-Stars, routed BSFC for the win.  Chivas has mainly the same team as a year ago and BSFC has some different faces.  Different faces, different result... Chivas scored first, but BSFC matched them goal-for-goal throughout the game to keep pace.  At times, BSFC had a lead, but Chivas would keep to the name of the game and reply with a tying goal.  Neil Shatzer scored BSFC's first goal, his first of three, to tie the game at one on a great assist from Bryana Hayes (who leads the team in assists).  BSFC took the lead on a Nick Kaliszewski goal, but Chivas responded before the half to tie the game at two.  Neil Shatzer scored early for BSFC to give them the 3-2 lead and Chivas tied the game at three on a beautiful corner kick goal.  Erica Zinsser gave BSFC a 4-3 lead, but Chivas again replied to tie the game at four.  BSFC was awarded a penalty shot on a handball in the box.  Angie Durkin missed the shot to the left of the goal, but Neil Shatzer corralled the loose ball and blasted it past the keeper for the hat trick.  BSFC had the lead 5-4 with three minutes remaining.  Superstar Robbie Ortiz (former BSFC-mate) scored with under two minutes remaining to tie the game at five.  BSFC had one last chance to score, but was shutdown by the Chivas' keeper.  Chivas were able to get off four more shots in the last minute of the game, but the game would end on a foul against Chivas in their offensive zone with three seconds remaining. 
    NOTE:  Tonight was Jessie Westrick and Erica Zinsser's last games with BSFC.  Erica will graduate from Penn State Behrend this weekend (May 12-13, 2007) and will return home to Pittsburgh.  Jessie will finish her finals this week and also return home to Pittsburgh for the summer.  Jessie does not graduate yet, however, will be leaving in early September to study abroad in Ireland.  Jessie will then graduate in December of 2007.  Jessie Westrick, who is currently BSFC's 6th longest tenured player at 76 total games, accumulated 19 points with four goals and eleven assists while playing solid defense and protecting BSFC keeper, Gerimee Gervais.  Erica Zinsser departs from BSFC after playing 14 games (2 sessions).  Erica racked up 17 points with seven goals and three assists.  Erica played primarily midfield for BSFC, but occasionally dropped back to a defender.  Both girls will be tremendously missed by BSFC, not just as teammates but as friends as well.  BSFC wishes them both the best of luck in their future travels!

Pointless Points-    Tuesday Games: 1-1-1        Field 1:  2-0-1

Game 6:  Jimmy Z's 5 : 4 You Betcha Your Motha
(4-1-1)                    (2-2-1)

BSFC Overcomes Late Surge to Preserve Victory

          BSFC scored early and often, but YBYM scored late and quickly to turn a potential blowout into a decent game.  BSFC was up 3-0 at halftime, thanks to goals by Corey Wolff, Bryana Hayes and Jim Pilla.  BSFC played a solid first half and limited YBYM to just eight shots compared to BSFC's 16 shots.  YBYM, however, outscored BSFC 4-2 in the second half to nearly pull off the comeback and upset.  Elise Dauber scored early in the second half on a Penalty Kick to give BSFC a four goal lead.  YBYM picked up their game and out shot BSFC 13-3 in the next 12 minutes.  YBYM converted three of those 13 shots for goals to cut BSFC's lead to 4-3.  Dauber scored her second goal of the game, and what turned out to be the winning goal, with five minutes remaining to give BSFC a two-goal lead.  YBYM scored with three minutes remaining to again cut the lead to one, 5-4.  YBYM fired off four shots in the final minute of the game but BSFC keeper, Gerimee Gervais, was able to shut down everything that was shot at him. 

Pointless Points-    Monday Games: 3-0-0        Field 2:  2-1-0

Semifinal:  #3 Jimmy Z's 6 : 4 #2 Chivas
                        (5-1-1)                   (4-2-1)

Solid Teamwork Leads BSFC to Finals

          Despite being seeded lower than #2 Chivas, BSFC did not feel like an underdog going into this game.  In their first meeting, BSFC and Chivas ended in a 5-5 draw after Roberto Ortiz (Chivas) tied the score at five with under 30 seconds remaining.  In this game, however, one of BSFC's top players (Jim Pilla) was not active due to schedule conflicts (Reserve Neil Shatzer played in place of Pilla).  BSFC led the entire game until a slight falter at the end allowed Chivas to tie the game up.  Not only did BSFC have Pilla for this game, they also had reserves Elise Dauber and Jeremy Blymiller...  BSFC definitely did not feel like underdogs despite having the lower seed.  Chivas scored first but BSFC fought back to tie the score at one as Pilla made a great assist to Dauber.  BSFC led at the break after two Blymiller goals gave BSFC the two-goal lead.  Chivas scored quickly in the second half to decrease the lead back down to one, but Pilla answered back immediately for BSFC to retake the two-goal lead.  Nick Kaliszewski scored his first of two goals to give BSFC their largest lead of the game at 5-2.  With under six minutes remaining, Chivas scored to make it a two-goal game again and then found the back of the net on a free kick with just 38 seconds left to make it a one-goal game (5-4).  BSFC held their composure and calmly played the ball back into their defensive zone (rather than make a sloppy turnover and allow Chivas a goal-tying opportunity).  Even though it can be risky to play the ball into your defensive zone, Mike Goodelle (who dropped back to rotate at defender with Mark Hatheway due to Keith Gebhardt's absence) cleared the ball into Chivas' defensive zone.  The keeper dribbled the ball about six feet out of the box and attempted to clear it.  N. Kaliszewski intercepted the clearance and, in one swift move, kicked the ball back towards Chivas' defensive zone.  The ball soared over the head of the Chivas' keeper, who was well out of his box, and found the back of the net sealing the victory for BSFC at 6-4.
    NOTE:  Reserve Jeremy Blymiller played in place of Keith Gebhardt tonight and will play in the Finals in place of Jim Pilla, who will have to miss the game due to personal conflicts... Gerimee Gervais and his defenders played a solid game and Gervais came up with game-changing saves in crucial moments... This is BSFC's second trip ever to the Gold Finals, but this is the first time for this BSFC team.  Red Bulls, a true Gold team, won the Gold Championship two sessions ago.  This BSFC team played in the actual Gold League in the Fall 2006 session and went winless at 0-4-2.  After two consecutive trips to the Silver Finals, however, BSFC has finally made it to the place they've been working so hard to get to.

Pointless Points-    Monday Games: 4-0-0        Field 2: 3-1-0

Final:  #3 Jimmy Z's 4 : 3 #1 W-Squad
               (6-1-1)                   (6-2-0)

Strong 2nd Half Play, Late Goals Wins Championship

          BSFC earned their way into their 3rd consecutive Finals game; this one, however, was a big deal.  After being in the Silver Playoffs (Seeds 5-8) the past two sessions, BSFC finally made it to the "real" C-League Championship.  BSFC was Silver League Finalist in the Winter 1 2006 Indoor session after losing 2-3 to The Czech Republic.  BSFC won the Silver League Championship in the Winter 2 2007 Indoor session after defeating The Czech Republic, 4-2.  BSFC now has won Spring 2007 Indoor C-League Championship (no Gold and Silver this session, just one C-League) after defeating first-seeded W-Squad 4-3.  BUT, it took BSFC all 48 minutes to do so...
    It was a back-and-forth game for beginning of the first half with both teams firing off a good number of shots at each team's respective goalkeeper (Gerimee Gervais for BSFC, Jared Semrau for W-Squad).  W-Squad finally broke the deadlock after they scored two quick goals.  Nick Kaliszewski was able to find the back of the net just minutes before the buzzer sounded for halftime.  BSFC found themselves trailing 1-2 at halftime after a short lapse in team work lead to two W-Squad goals.  W-Squad scored first in the second half to regain the two-goal lead at 3-1.  BSFC then stepped up their game and ended up out shooting W-Squad, 26-14, in the second half.  Despite outplaying and out-hustling W-Squad, BSFC was still not able to find the back of the net.  Jeremy Blymiller finally scored with four minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 2-3.  With under a minute remaining in the game, Corey Wolff scored to tie the score 3-3.  Planning on holding the tie to go into an overtime session, BSFC brought everyone back on defense to help out.  After a missed Dan Bretz (former BSFC-mate) winning goal attempt, Gerimee Gervais corralled the ball and threw it to Blymiller.  Blymiller dribbled quickly down the court with a 2-on-1 offensive situation.  Blymiller passed to Elise Dauber who lost control of the ball and then stole it away from the W-Squad keeper.  Dauber passed the ball back to Blymiller who took a touch and blasted the ball in the back of the net with just four seconds remaining.  BSFC won the game 4-3.

Pointless Points-    Tuesday Games: 2-1-1        Field 1:  3-0-1