League Play-Off

Amanda
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Nicollet FC's Rolf Richey started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Rolf Richey came up free with the goalie in the 5th minute, the Nicollet FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Rolf Richey couldn't finish the play. 7 minutes into the match, Brent's goalkeeper Kevin Leach had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Quinton Grubb. In the 10th minute, one of Brent:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Brent. The referee gave Nicollet FC a penalty, 12 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Eusebio Ruff, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Brent's Kevin Leach. 1-0. In the 18th minute, Rolf Richey hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Austin Ragsdale had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The supporters of Brent booed when Nicollet FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 24 match minutes in a wonderful position. Alonzo Perez didn't get a good kick on the ball. Austin Ragsdale struck a weak shot in the 26th minute. Rodger Lim didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Brent. In the 30th minute, Darnell Douglas ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Rodger Lim was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. When Austin Ragsdale came up free with the goalie in the 35th minute, the Brent fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Austin Ragsdale couldn't finish the play. After 39 played minutes Nicollet FC got a freekick which was hit by Alonzo Perez. If Darnell Douglas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rodger Lim made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Austin Ragsdale in the 44th minute of play. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Austin Ragsdale made a kick off. After some fancy dribbling in the 52nd minute, Darnell Douglas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Brent's supporters rose to their feet, but Darnell Douglas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Rodger Lim breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 59 minutes into the match, Brent's Austin Ragsdale sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Rodger Lim narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The referee felt a red card was in order, 60 minutes into the game, when Rubin Cavazos put in a rough tackle. 60 minutes into the game, one of Nicollet FC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. After a rather tough play, Brent's Austin Ragsdale got a free kick in the 65th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Quinton Grubb in the 67th minute of play forced Brent's goalkeeper Kevin Leach to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Austin Ragsdale in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Rodger Lim saved Nicollet FC from getting behind. Darnell Douglas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 70th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rodger Lim having to interfere. A collision led to Brent getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Lonnie Bowman hit a great ball. Nicollet FC's Eusebio Ruff couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Brent. When Austin Ragsdale in the 79th play minute got the chance to kick a hard shot on goal from short distance neither the defense or Rodger Lim kept up with the ball and suddenly the score was 1-3 when the ball slipped into goal inside the left pole. Nicollet FC's Rodger Lim played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Barry Benavides in the 84th minute of play. Rodger Lim made an important save on a dangerous shot by Austin Ragsdale in the 85th minute. Austin Ragsdale sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rodger Lim was out of position in the 93 minute of play, and Barry Benavides capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Barry Benavides really showed his touch with that goal: 1-4. After a defensive mix-up in Nicollet FC's zone, Darnell Douglas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rodger Lim came out of the goal and Darnell Douglas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play.