The highly anticipated day had finally arrived for both schools. Every year Guilford and Greensboro battle it out as cross town rivalries and this year was no different. The game was held at the Pride field of Greensboro College as they promoted the game with all their efforts in order to pack the stands for this match. The fans piled in as tensions increased on both sides. At 4p.m sharp the game was finally under way as the referee blew the starting whistle.
Straight from the get-go both teams displayed win or die attitudes as the game exhibited all the characteristics of a rivalry encounter. Guilford began to move the ball around well as Greensboro started to realize that this year’s Quaker team is quite different from the preceding years. Displaying signs of domination it was only a matter of time before the Quakers found the back of the net. On a solo, and quite brilliant, run from Ronnie Castellanos, dashing through two defenders that were left at a standstill and tucking the ball far post, Guilford found themselves in the lead by one goal to none. The majority of the play stayed in favor of Guilford as we showed signs of great team chemistry. A few minutes before the first half was called to an end, the ball squeaked through a Greensboro College defender’s foot and found its way onto the foot of the one and only Eto’o Kemda-Kemtsop. He had no other visions but placing the ball in the back of the net as he barreled towards the oppositions goal. A defender close on his back didn’t affect him much as he slotted the ball back post out of the reach of the goalie. This was an excellent way to finish out a well-played first half.
After taking in the advice given to us by coach, we took the field knowing that Greensboro had no other choice than to come out strong and attack our goal relentlessly. But, needless to say, our team as a whole gave them little chance to gain a goal back on us. As our team showed what we were made of in the beginning of the second half, we began to take back control of the match. 20 minutes into the second half a moment of brilliance hit the field as Freddy Gomez weaved his way through the back line of Greensboro College dodging tackles and avoiding fouls until he fired a bullet into the far post. Although some would say the power he put on the ball was seam breaking, he would say that he could have hit it harder. Nevertheless we found ourselves in a controlling lead as time began to dwindle away. Many chances and numerous miss hits from The Quakers #24 later, Eto’o once again found himself in front of goal as a scramble in the six yard box led to a skillfully placed knee ball into the back of the net. At this point we knew that the victory was ours, but that did not stop us from continuing to attack and create chances. In the dying moments of the game, Kereith Pinnock of the Quakers was rewarded for his hard work and never-give-up attitude as he forced the goalie to make a mistake. As the keeper dropped the ball, Kereith was the first one to react and strike the ball into the back of the net to put the icing on the cake. Moments later the referee blew the whistle the end the game and a feeling of joy and accomplishment overwhelmed our team. We knew we had what it took to bring home the victory, but following through on those beliefs is easier said than done.
The final score was 5-0 to the good guys. This was a further step in the right direction for us as a team. By not only winning this game, but by controlling the play and capitalizing on opportunities, our morale and belief in the team has strengthened. We know the potential for our team and we know how much we can achieve this year and our drive to do so is greater than ever. But, according to coach, potential is a four-letter word and we must continue to play well together in order to achieve our goals for this season. But, we are definitely on the right path. GO QUAKERS!!!!!
-Richard Page (#24, SO)
