The weather forecast seemed unpredictable Tuesday evening. As we left Jackson Township, the raindrops lessened, and the sun was breaking through the clouds. Heading into North Canton, the sky was very dark, looked heavy and gloomy. The Hoover Vikings Boys Soccer team were anxiously awaiting their rivals to arrive.
The Hoover Vikings ( 7-0-1) and the Jackson Polar Bears (5-1-2 ) are both undefeated in the Federal League as they head into tonight’s event.
Jackson kicks off the start of the match. Immediately into play, the Vikes received a free kick. Throughout the first several minutes of the game the announcer continued to say, “Restart Duckworth, Restart Marucci, Restart Ash, Restart Sheil”. Restart, Why did the announcer continue to repeat this word when the action on the field looked different? I learned that a kick-off starts both halves of extra time and restarts play after a goal has been scored. Free kicks, both direct and indirect, penalty kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks are other restarts. But the big question of the night will be… Will Jackson’s Sr. GK, #0 Sr. Gavin Floom and the rest of the Polar Bears, be able to shut down Hoover’s Big Game Player – Alec McLeod?
Jackson’s #3 Andrew Duckworth/D continues to be quick on his feet. You swiftly see that this fast-paced game definitely leaves no time for rest. A shot by Hoover’s #10 Jack Shaffer/MID. A great save by Jackson’s GK, Floom #00! Jackson’s #3 Duckworth with a corner kick. “Oh!!!!” The crowd roars. Foul on the play. As Hoover’s #19 Jr. Alec McLeod/FWD restarts his dazzling skills to impress everyone. Mcleod leads the Vikings this season, in Points (12) and Goals (6). You begin to hear a rumble through the stands…. McLeod makes his move. GOAL!!! Ball in the back of the net. What a shot! Hoover – 1 Jackson – 0.
One thing that you saw consistently throughout the night was save after save by high energy Polar Bear, #0 GK, Gavin Floom. Floom’s first save was off to the left side of the goal. He angles himself directly up with the Hoover player and lunges towards the goal attempt and falls directly on the ball. You can see the focus on Floom’s face as Hoover’s offense approaches the goal each and every time. He is on guard and determined to keep a “clean sheet,” doing everything possible to stop the Vikings from scoring. Floom had a total of four saves this evening. Fearless is what one could call Jackson’s goalkeeper. During one of #0’s saves he stretched beyond measure as he dove and made an incredible save.
In the first half, Jackson’s #10 Sr. Roman Altieri/M aims at the goal with a header as Hoover’s GK #1, Rowan Ellism leaps to block the ball as it goes over the top of the net. As the rain began to fall, Jackson’s only goal of the evening ends up coming from, #10 Altieri, with a fierce penalty kick. GOAL!!! HHS – 1 JHS -1
The rivalry between Hoover and Jackson intensified as #12, Sr. Geoffrey Dolan from Jackson, takes a shot that just misses as it enters into the goalie’s hands of the Vikings.
FINAL SCORE: Hoover Vikings – 3 Jackson Polar Bears -1.
The stats for the match were as follows:
Goals: Hoover’s McLeod (3) – Jackson’s Altieri (1)
Shots: Hoover 10-9 Jackson
Shots on Goal: Hoover 7-4 Jackson
Saves: Hoover – Ellis 3-4 Jackson – Floom
Corners: Hoover 2-7 Jackson
Offsides: Hoover 0-0 Jackson
Fouls: Hoover 7-14 Jackson
As we pulled into a parking lot, you could see Hoover’s newly built football stadium. There were a couple of students on the field practicing. Laughing and discussing how they were going to defeat the Polar Bears football team at the end of the season. As they kicked the football through the uprights, there were a few others walking around the track that circles the football field.
We were getting out of the car, and you could hear the announcer sharing info about the match that was about to begin. And then in the distance, you hear a beautiful voice begin to sing The Star – Spangled Banner. As others continue to walk towards the soccer field and around the track, a gentleman in an orange shirt immediately stops walking. He quietly turns and stands at attention facing the soccer field where the game was about to begin. Placed his right hand over his heart. He did it without skipping a beat until you could hear the cheers from the crowd. It was so simple, but probably one of the most powerful images I will always remember. As a young student – athlete, our parents, our peers, and our school’s alumni: We all love a good, drag the other team through the mud, rivalry. But this was it. This is what made my evening! Respect, Hope, Unity, Freedom, Individual Liberties … Thank you, Sir! I am definitely proud to be an American!
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