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040 2014 Match Day 13 League Cup Finals

040 2014 Match Day 12
November 4, 2014
Weekly Newsletter 2014.13
November 11, 2014

040 2014 Match Day 13 League Cup Finals

The Indiana O-40 team traveled to Quaker Valley High School to play in the Serie A (2nd
division) championship game. In their three years in Serie A, Indiana has made the championship
game each year, losing to North United in 2012 and beating Harmarville last year. This year, Mt.
Lebanon would face Indiana in the championship game, having drawn 1-1 in their last meeting.
Mt. Lebanon started the game very well, dominating possession for the first 15 minutes, but they
were unable to convert their advantage into a goal. As the half wore on, Indiana’s midfield
wrested away some of the possession, but Indiana was probably fortunate to still be even at the
break. However, during this break, Todd Myers pointed out that, when attacking, one of
Indiana’s center mids needed to stay in a deep position, to close the gap between midfield and
backs. This tactical change would pay dividends, but not before Indiana had conceded the first
goal. Early in the second half, a Mt. Lebanon attacker broke down the left side, and got in an
excellent low cross. The attacker in front of the net was marked, but he was able to just enough
of the ball to redirect it into the net, giving Mt. Lebanon the lead. Fortunately for Indiana, their
tactical change was giving them more attacking chances, and just a few minutes later, Chad
Hojnoski was fouled in the penalty box. Myers converted the PK in the high left corner, tying the
game. Indiana continued to attack, and a few minutes later, earned a free kick about 5 yards from
the right corner of the penalty box. Hojonski took the kick, and sent a curving effort toward the
goal. A Mt. Lebanon defender got his head to it, but misplayed it, sending the ball past his keeper
and into the goal. Mt. Lebanon pressed for an equalizing goal, but Indiana keeper Kevin Kerr
and the defense proved equal to the task, including making several stops on a wild scramble near
the end of the game. Solid play by the entire Indiana squad resulted a hard-earned 2-1 victory,
giving the team their second straight championship trophy.

 

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