Kisling's Tavern
HANGOVER UNITED
Soccer Club
Baltimore, Maryland USA - Est. 1995

HANGOVER UNITED - MATCH REPORT 2003 WEEK 11

HANGOVER MAKE UNDEFEATED SEASON MORE DRAMATIC
By David Jones for soccernet.com
16 NOVEMBER 2003

EDGEMERE, MD – Hangover United completed their undefeated season Sunday finishing with a 5-4 win against Middle River FC at Sparrows Point H.S. Hangover did very well early on, controlling the possession of the ball as best they could but the slick grass and soggy surface made touch on the ball a difficult thing. In the 12th minute Hangover lost possession in midfield and a quick pass to the MRFC striker lead to a 2 on 1 break that they were able to convert giving them the early 1-0 lead. Hangover kept their heads and were able to tie things up when John Jenkins shot was blocked and fell to Art Mullen who banged into the upper 90 of the net to make it 1-1. In the 36th minute Danny Gerbasi put John Jenkins through on the left side and John Jenkins finished to give the Hangover the 2-1 lead. Then in the 42nd minute Danny Gerbasi took a corner kick and put the ball to the front post when Art Mullen was making a run to. Mullen went to jump for the ball but slipped and fell and the ball hit the defender marking him and ricocheted into the net giving Hangover a 3-1 lead at halftime.  

In the second half, things seemed in the bag for Hangover especially after a beautiful ball from Chris Hastings sent Jon Pitonzo in alone on goal who put it away for his 5th goal of the year and a 4-1 lead in the 57th minute. Hangover then got a bit comfortable and complacent to the delight of the Middle River. MRFC were fighting for a possible playoff birth with a victory and they did not forget that. MRFC tracked down every ball and seemed to win every 50/50 opportunity. They were making plays and it lead to a free bouncing ball in the box after a cross that was put past Hangover keeper Bert Miller making it a 4-2 game. John Jenkins was once again assisted by Danny Gerbasi when the MRFC goal keeper came out miss played a ball at the edge of the box that Jenkins chased down and was able to thread the needle from along the byline and put the ball in. It still didn’t deter MRFC, they were pulling all the stops. In the 76th minute some godawful marking from the Hangover defense and a nice through ball and a foul in the box resulting in a penalty kick that Brad Wallace stepped up and put away breathing new life into his side. They came out swinging and were able to get another back after a rebound was left uncleared in the box and the stepped up and put it in to make it a one goal game in the last ten minutes. Hangover were able to compose themselves find the open man in midfield and exploit the fact that MRFC had 8 men forward. A couple open net opportunities came and went but Hangover were unable to put the ball on net and after a stressful closing 10 minutes, Hangover were able to pull it out in the end 5-4. This victory gave Hangover its first first place finish in Division II in club history, not to mention an undefeated season of 9-0-1.

At the post match press conference at Kislings player/manager Chris King said, “This victory was bittersweet on a couple levels. You never like knocking people out, my hat is off to Brad and his whole side, they played very well and didn’t give up in the least. But now on the other hand we gave them confidence with our awful play that they can beat us on Tuesday night” King making reference to the fact that these two clubs meet again in a DiMarco Cup match at Ortmann Field in Patterson Park (ko 8:45 PM). King added “I am excited and proud as can be after this season. I mean 9 long years of being a laughing stock in this league, but now no one is laughing – and it feels real good. I just hope now we can follow this through to the Double or possibly the Treble, because we can do it. I just hope we now all know it and believe it” [Double being the Regular Season title and Div II playoff title, plus the DiMarco Cup (Div II & III)].

After 11 weeks, Congrats officially go out to John Jenkins as the MMSL point leader and winner of his second consecutive Golden Boot for Div I, II & III with 51 points (19 goals, 13 assists). Hangover next take on Middle River in a first round match in the 2003 DiMarco Cup on Tuesday November 18th at 8:45 PM at Ortmann Field in Patterson Park.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Art Mullen (excellent midfield/defense + a goal), Anthony Menegatti (Hon Mention)
GOAL OF THE MATCH: Art Mullen (one timer past the keeper into the upper 90)
FOUL OF THE MATCH: Chris Sicliano (a good clumsy hack in the second half on the sideline)

DiMARCO CUP NEXT MATCH: TUE NOVEMBER 18th -v- Middle River FC @ Ortmann Field in Patterson Park ko 8:45 PM
MMSL PLAYOFFS NEXT MATCH: SUN NOVEMBER 23th -v- 1st round playoff BYE, HANGOVER UNITED play TBA on SUN NOVEMBER 30th