Weekend Recap: 4 Points for Adria in Weekend of Matches
GRAND RAPIDS July 11, 2016
The weekend started off with RWB Adria on the road to Grand Rapids, Michigan to take on Grand Rapids Ole. The first time these two teams met, RWB Adria secured a 4-0 win at home. This time in Grand Rapids, Ole was better prepared to take on the leaders of the Premier League of America table.
The early minutes of the match were fast-paced and aggressive – enough for a foul on Adria in Ole’s 18. A penalty was whistled and was to be taken by Mesanovic. The shot was stopped by Ole and a rebound opportunity was left for Adria’s Bond who was also stopped by the Ole keeper. Shortly after the home side would concede an own-goal after a mix-up in the back line. Ole made it back with an equalizer minutes later only to have another foul called in their 18. This time Bond secured Adria’s lead making it 2-1 at half by putting one passed Ole’s keeper from the 11.
In the second half, Adria’s Frane Grbesa bent a long set piece into the top shelf of Ole’s goal to put Adria up 3-1. Ole came back with another goal to stay in the game at 3-2 but Adria’s Muntean would pop yet another in to make it 4-2. The home team put one more in with minutes left leaving the score at 4-3. Adria’s younger talent Pavic, Ljubic and Alebic were put into the mix near the end to keep the tempo.
On Sunday, Adria was back at home to take on Oakland County FC. The last time these two teams met was just a few weeks ago in Oakland where Adria took 3 point with a 1:0 lead. This time around both teams were down key players both for three yellow cards: Oakland FC’s goalkeeper and Adria’s Derek Huffman sat out for the match.
Adria’s captain Stijepic runs down the wing
The match took off well but most of the play was stuck somewhere in the midfield of both teams, by first half there was no score. In the second half, Oakland FC came in strong to put in consecutive goals against Adria for a 2-0 lead. With the pressure on, much of the play was found in Oakland’s 18 and with strong play trying to keep the lead a foul was made on Adria in the box and a PK was called. Adria’s Mesanovic placed one passed the Oakland Goalkeeper to put Adria on the board at 2-1. Solid attempts were being made by both sides but eventually Adria broke through again with a goal by Muntean making it 2-2. By the end of regular time, both teams would leave Triton College with one point each.
RWB Adria is set to take on Toledo United on July 16th at Triton College at 5 pm. This game is set to be a good one as both teams are very close at the top of the East Division PLA table. See you at Triton!