Sunday January 13, 2008.

Amherst Barcelona started off another spirited indoor campaign with a tough fought 5-4 loss to last year’s champion, United.  The first half was dominated in the early going by the United team as Barcelona took some time to shake off the rust.  Dylan M was outstanding in th nets to keep the game close.  It took two long balls from midfield  to a streaking Ben N for both of Barcelona’s first half tallies and a 3-2 deficit at the half.  Halfbacks Andrew S, Robbie S, Jay L, and Evan M were strong in the midfield providing some of the through balls.  Coaches Kinerk and Liffiton talked to the boys at half time urging them to pick up the intensity and take the game to United.

The boys responded with a withering attack that left them exposed to the United counter attack, resulting in two more United goals early in the half.  Second half goalie Andrew L often had to make quick decisions on break away United attackers to keep Barcelona within striking distance.  Then Benadinho got loose again in the penalty area and banked a hard shot, from nearly the touch line, off the goal keeper  to start the comeback and complete his hat trick.  Seconds later Ben N again crossed the ball from the right side and a streaking, left half, Max L placed it into the left corner. 

With just over four minutes remaining the one goal game caused the crowd to harken back to last Spring’s furious Barcelona comeback in the league finals.  The increased crowd buzz was reflected in the Barcelona attack as United struggled to hold the lead.  Right Half Sam K helped control the right sided attack as the Amherst boys launched everything into the effort to score the equalizer.  Unfortunately, time expired on the game but Coach Kinerk was happier with the team's second half competitiveness and reminded the team to continue to work on passing and team play during the week of preparation for next week’s contest against the Clarence Mustangs.