Scores, Match Reviews and MVPs from March 6th

WEST DIVISION

It was a night of blowouts in the West Division. Quite unanticipated ones too.

Scousers were upset and shutout by the upstart Lurkers (4-0), who seem to improve arithmetically each Sunday night. (Chico's and Hammers are lucky to have faced them early in the season. Berry Park and Highlanders should be worried.) Match MVP: Kevin M., who controlled the midfield and threaded precision passes to hit scorers Isaac K. and Nezar K. (each with two goals on the night).

The division's second game was Rockville Centre Hammers at Highlanders (6-1). Through ball after through ball was the story of the first half, which ended at 4-0. The second half was a much better one for the Highlanders. Rather than clearing their lines with long and often blind kicks, only to be scooped up by the Hammers and brought right back to goal, the Highlanders moved the ball around in tight quarters to supporting players. Result: a few decent chances at net, and one goal. The half ended at a respectable 2-1. But the defense and counter attack (and youth and fitness and familiarity) of the Hammers foiled the Highlander's attempt at forging any convincing comeback. Match MVP: Liz S., who we saw at Right Back, Right Mid, and Striker, causing a good lot of trouble for all three of her opposite numbers.

The last game of the night was another one-way affair. Chico's cruised by a stationary and frustrated Berry Park, 5-0 (though by all accounts but the referee's, BP did deserve to be on the scoreboard when a ball hit the upper right corner and allegedly dropped down over the line before bouncing out). Ben T. registered two goals and James H. got a hat trick; but neither was the match MVP - which tells you something about the Chico's depth. Match MVP: Gabriel A., who, at Center Back, shut down Berry Park's attack, leaving with them with little option but to shoot from far outside the box.

EAST DIVISION 

The match between Wild Turkeys and FC Finest was an interesting and tight affair. Wild Turkeys used their second on-loan keeper (Kamil O.) from FC Finest for Sunday's game, after losing their first on-loan keeper to injury the week before. Kamil was definitely up for this one and so were the Finest, who were eager to put one passed him early. But Kamil was on form, providing a solid platform to give WT the confidence to move up the pitch in numbers. Zach F., starting deep within his own half at Center Back, slotted in an early goal for the Turkeys. WT got another early in the second half. But the two-goal cushion wasn't to last. Penetrating runs and precision passes from FC Finest Jenny H. (on loan from Scousers) helped her new team to answer back twice. Final score, 2-2. Match MVP: Jenny H.

The East Division's second game of the night was another of Sunday's blowouts, which we don't see too often in the WSP. The league's newest team had a seven-goal performance. Oscar D. slotted in five. Just as impressive was the team's flash, new banner. Final score: Loonaticks 7, ACK 1. Match MVP: Oscar D.

Daggers shut out Soho Slackers 3-0 in the final game of the night. Daggers now have the league's best goals- against record, letting by just the one in three games. Consistency seems to have finally entered the equation for this squad, which normally puts in one fine and then one flat effort. It's two in a row now (and arguably three, given they fought back hard in their first game to draw it). Match MVP: Tim S., who won ball time and again, resulting in a goal and two assists.

SUNDAY NIGHT'S MVP

Oscar D. (Loonaticks). You can't argue with five goals.