I know you have been waiting for it, you thought to yourself…when will he post on the Top Goals of the season. I mean the articles are okay, sometimes a little funny, usually a little too long to read, but really….we just check the blog for the videos.
You ask and I deliver. Top Goals of the Year….based on a survey of 1….ME! I kind of did a reverse order on these so you will likely remember the first few and then we move back in time over the season. So what constitutes a Top Goal. Well, my criteria were pretty simple. If if was a really cool goal it got points. Second, if it was a really important goal it got points. Sometimes those two come together and you get a really cool goal and a really important goal. You decide…check it out
Memorial v Arrowhead. Longville assist on Martinez Goal. I know, I know, why put you thru the pain of remembering this game. But for me, this was the epic point of the season. This is where I try to go when I think of the season. We were ahead 2-1 in the State Semi-Finals. Okay..let’s talk about the goal. This is classic Longville. He really is the architect of this one. His pace, energy and tenacity are what make him a great player. He presses the defender and gets control of the ball in the corner and then just keeps working. Could have given up on this multiple times. But just keeps after it. Then the sweet find on the back post. You can see Martinez just waiting it out, likely he just knew Jack would find a way. The cross and the sweet side foot volley into the roof of the net. Well done Matt! 2-1 Abes. 2-1 Abes. It was a big goal.
Memorial v Preble. Martinez goal takes us to State. Sometimes it just takes one. One big goal in a big game. Sometimes you just need CAPTAIN CLUTCH to rescue to team. Late in the Preble game, tied 0-0 and time running out. We have just saved a goal on the other end with Owen clearing a ball off the line. We earn a corner kick. Cooper just misses a header. It looks like Longville heads it on goal. The keeper makes the save but can’t secure the ball. It heads back out onto the field. You can see Matt making a late back side run and the ball just sits up perfectly for the run. Looks like a one time volley and he strikes it well. Headed for goal except one problem. Simon Larson is in the goal having just missed on a volley as well. The ball is whizzing in and actually glances off his back side as it is goes into the net. That would have been a bummer if he had blocked it, but Memorial was due. It was time. Big goal for Matt. 1-0 Memorial. Great story from Matt in the news and paper about how Kimamo (Asst. Coach) told him to hang back just a few yards in anticipation of a late run and the ball finding its way to the back side. How did he know that? That’s good coaching! Matt makes his second appearance on the top goals list.
Memorial v Hudson. Longville with TWO Really Big Goals. Big games need really big players. We have none bigger than Jack Longville. So the Hudson game was epic. The game is 0-0 and heading into 80th minute and time is running out. Are we destined for OT. Are we destined for a PK shootout. Memorial kept working to find the goal and finally it arrived. Peloquin does an amazing job holding the ball and looking for an opportunity. He then drops it deep to Orser who swings it over to Joe Free who delivers an amazing cross into a very dangerous spot. Longville anticipates the cross and surges past defenders to deliver a clutch glancing header into the back corner of the net. One of his top goals of the year. But Hudson responds. OT. Red Card. Man Down. Trouble. But remember, with Longville you just need one magical moment and of course, Jack finds it. A turnover deep into the zone is pounced on, a turn, a dribble, a little sweet kiss off the defenders foot and the Bam! Longville powers one past the Hudson GK. Not his prettiest goal of the year, not the most graceful, but man, a huge goal. 2-1 Abes. On to the Sectionals. 2 huge goals.
Memorial v North. Brenner with the header of the Year. Matt Martinez continues his appearance in our top goals review but this time as an assist man. Here is a great run out wide, a burst of speed and a perfectly placed cross right at the 6. Mitch Brenner comes flying in an executes a really nice diving header. That’s not easy folks to get the timing just right. Well done Mitch…a 3-0 lead in the game and his 7th goal of the year. Mitch has the opportunity to fill the space left by Longville next year. I expect a bunch of highlight goals from him next year. If he can combine his talent and continue to build on his work ethic on the pitch, he could be special.
Memorial v North. Cooper Lyons Header Goal. So you have to give me a little leeway here. I mean, you just knew I was going to drop in one of Cooper’s goal this year. I looked at his volley goal against River Falls, but decided on this one. I was pretty confident when the year started that Cooper would get a header goal off a corner this year. His has the size, he has good technique, so it was just a matter of time. He made me wait. I was on a header watch all year and he had 4 or 5 really good attempts. This one was special. He really thumped this one. A perfect cross, he raises up at the perfect time and he delivers a powerful header into the back of the net. Thanks Cooper, a great memory for me!
Memorial v Bay Port. Longville-Orser Give and Go Goal. I so when I saw it live I knew it would be in consideration for the goal of the year. As you watch, you will need to wait on this a bit…be patient…hang on..and there…what a fun goal. Technically, I think it is the best goal of the year. It has so many little quality moments if you watch it multiple times. Longville on the hold up play…nutmeg…steal…tackle by Rosenberger…back onto Jack’s feet…great surging dribble…a pass into the box for Orser…a left foot one-touch layoff on a great give and go back to Longville…a quality finish into the side net. Wow. You might want to play that one over a few times to catch it all. What a goal! What an assist by Orser! I told you he was the best passer on the team…more proof. Probably the most under appreciated player on the team. Orser was really the engine that made us go. His play in the middle of the field both defensively and transition to offense was amazing. Not flashy…except on this play…just a great player.
Memorial v Hudson. Joe Free cross to Longville. This was the early season goal of the year. It really showed Memorial was going to be dangerous. On this one, Joe Free wins a ball and surges forward into the right-wing. He shows off some really nice dribbling skills, makes a little shimmy shake move to clear some space and spots Longville. He then delivers a wonderful cross into the box. Longville spots the ball early, fights thru defenders and deliver an amazing glancing header into the net. This was the preview of another goal on the list, in the second Hudson game. Pretty amazing these two teamed up for the same type goal against the same team. Glad they did!
So there yo have it. A season review of the Top Goals. Some great goals…some great memories…some great players. It was an epic season and so cool to reflect on it and have some great videos for review. Hope you enjoyed the little walk thru the season. I had fun writing it. As well, if you are tech savvy….or just ask your kids…you can subscribe to my You Tube channel. It is just listed as Scott Lyons. There are about 100 videos up and about 80 of them are videos of Memorial goals.
So, not sure you noticed on my Season Preview: Volume 1, but I added a new feature. I found a way to do polls on the blog. My first attempt was a little challenging. Could not get the poll to work right. After one vote, the voting ended. That’s dumb I know. So, deleted that plug-in and switched to a new one. Check this out sand drop in your vote. Curious what you think.