The last two matches between Dallas and Nashville saw Dallas come back from a 4-goal deficit win in the final minutes. Would this year be the same? In typical Dallas fashion, the thermometer peaked out around 100 degrees. Nashville came with a strong squad and Dallas was ready with a strong team in place. From the first bounce, the Magpies kept the ball in their end of play. The Pies were winning the ball out of the middle and delivering to the forward line consistently. However, the forwards were unable to convert goals due to the repelling Roos defense. The wind was playing tricks with the ball, and deliveries were carrying the ball long. There were ample opportunities lost and the Magpies were only able to slot two majors. The defense on the other hand was doing their job, holding the Roos to a single point. The score after one quarterwas Dallas 2.6 (18) to Nashville's 0.1 (1). The second quarter saw the Roos steal the momentum. A key injury to Dallas midfielder Grant Campbell started the reversal. With the key on- baller out, the Roos Bo Link and Luke Nemeth began to dominate play out of the middle. The majority of the play was in the Roos end of the field. The Magpie defense was pushing the ball out of the back line repeated, only to see it sent back in. Using the wind to their advantage the Roos kicked 3-goals to the Pies 2. The score at the half was Dallas 4.10 (34) to Nashville's 3.3 (21). The Roos had the momentum going into the half and were well within striking distance. No half-time speeches were given by Captian/Coach Stuart Rackham. He just wanted the players to think about the lackluster performance just given in the 2nd period. If the undefeated season was to continue, the Pies would have to step it up in the 3rd period. The third period was a evenly played. The defense continued to hold the lead for the Magpies with their stellar play. Stuart Rackam and Todd Raggio continued to transition the ball out of the back line, creating opportunities for the forwards. But, similar to the first quarter the forward line continued to struggle with converting goals, kicking 5 more points to only a single goal. The Roos were held to 1-goal. The score at the end of three quarters was Dallas 5.15 (45) to 4.4 (30). The Roos were still within striking distance, however some injuries saw the Roos running beginning to slow. Going into the 4th period saw the two teams wondering if this was the year the trend was reversed - would the Roos make the comeback this year? The 4th quarter started and right out of the gates, Chris Cordry takes a shot chip from Scott Cobb in the square and kicks a major. The momentum is now with the Pies. After playing a solid game for three quarters, rookie Drew Schenck had a break out quarter. Schenck took a 5-player contested mark, and converted the set shot into a goal. Not two minutes later Schenck took another mark and goal, that let the Roos know they were done. The magpies now in control put the nail in the coffin when Jon Samuelson goaled from 60 yards out. Final score: Dallas 9.19 (73) to Nashville 4.6 (30). Dallas goals: 2 - Chris Chordry, Charlie Richardson, Drew Schenck 1 - Grant Campbell, Scott Cobb, Jon Samuelson Best on Ground: Luke Nemeth - 3 votes (Nashville) Bo Link - 2 votes (Nashville) Jon Samuelson - 1 vote (Dallas) |