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Our team is quickly developing a reputation for producing excitement, going from being beaten at the buzzer last weekend to winning in the final second against IUPUI on Friday at Engelmann. A victory on Sunday made it three wins in three at our own venue and that strong home form has set us up well for our month on the road, beginning this coming weekend.
Friday’s last gasp winner was bundled home by our boy from Barcelona, Pol Narbona. If that pleased the spectators, they were even more entertained by his post-game interview. With a cheesy smile, in stuttered English and his charming hybrid accent, the lanky Spaniard just about managed to tell the world (or at least those checking our team’s website) that his “long legs” were the reason for his debut goal. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d recommend searching for the video online!
A big factor in both wins this weekend was the great turnout by the crowds who willed us to win throughout both games. Beating EIU on Sunday was especially sweet, as it was in front of great numbers of spectators who turned out on a day that had a carnival-type atmosphere with tailgating and rock climbing going on in the pitch-side parking lot. Some new chants and some Mikey Poll inspired cheering helped us through a tiring game and our victory ensured us as overall winners of the 38th Panther Invitational.
The wins were even sweeter for me personally, as the games fell either side of my birthday. To be honest, turning 20 and leaving my teenage years behind me had been something I was dreading. But two wins, two goals, some team-based fun and a lot of ice cream made it a weekend to remember. The earliest moments of my twenties were made even sweeter by being named in the team of the tournament too, alongside other goal scorers, Aaron Hoorvat and Jamie Bladen as well as James Ashcroft. Horvat’s day went from success to failure though, when he found out the toes of his favorite socks had been cut by an unknown locker room culprit.
