The Milwaukee Bombers joined forces with the Cincinnati Dockers in a solid victory over the Columbus Jackaroos during a more-than-wet saturated day in Columbus.
By gametime at 2pm, the parking lot at the field had four inches of standing water...but the weather did not deter or stop a great day of footy. Donning Docker guernseys and Bomber shorts and socks, the combined squad took the field with plenty of experience on the field from both sides. The back line was solidified by Bomber veteran Kurt Landers who was playing his 110th senior game with the Bombers, two time Revolution player Bruce Beilfuss, current Revolution players Andy Vanica and Dan Sarbacker, former Revolution players Kyle Strenski and Matt Jagger, and long-time veteran Ross Siegel.
Conditions made play sloppy, but each side fought hard for the footy. Said Andy Vanica of Milwaukee, "I was very impressed by the gut and determination Columbus showed. It's been a while since I've been hit that hard. Once the Columbus players gain more experience they will be a very dangerous team to deal with. It's great to see footy thriving in Columbus." According to Coach of the Roos Scott "Scoota" Matheson, Columbus has had 74 different players come through practice this year.
Both teams spent the first quarter getting a feel for the ball. Columbus took the early lead with a quick behind and soccer style goal that ended up 30 yards in the air and splitting the uprights. Milwaukee countered with a goal by Andy Vanica and two behinds to take a one point lead to end the first quarter. Few marks were taken as rain pounded down, and at times, made seeing the other side of the field difficult.
The second quarter saw the combined team of Milwaukee and Cincinnati increase their work effort in the middle by Bombers Dan Sarbacker, Ross Siegel, and Cory Malchow. All three players put forth efforts worthy of BOG. Cory Malchow endlessly threw his body around the ball and twice found himself on the wrong end of a clothesline. A switch in the full forward to a quick Milwaukee's Chris Franzen created confusion in the backline for Columbus as Franzen was able to hold the ball up until Docker Kyle Strenski (3 goals) provided relief.
The second quarter proved the difference in the game as Columbus never recovered. Columbus managed three behinds while keeping MIL/OV scoreless in the third quarter. Set goals in the forth quarter by Brad Rughe and Ryan Forsthoefel sealed the win. By then the rain had stopped and teams were consistently taking marks.
Scores
Col 1.1 (7) Mil/OHV 1.2 (8)
Col 1.3 (9) Mil/OHV 5.3 (33)
Col 1.6 (12) Mil/OHV 5.3 (33)
Col 2.7 (19) Mil/OHV 7.3 (45)
Goals
Columbus: Rob Ward 1, Adam Peterson 1
Mil/OHV: Kyle Strenski 3, Andy Vanica 1, Ross Siegel 1, Brad Rughe 1, Ryan Forsthoefel 1
Best
Columbus: Alan Gardner, Ryan Gross, Brad Dailey, Andrew Kitchen
Mil/OHV: Dan Sarbacker, Ross Siegel, Cory Malchow, Kyle Strenski, Andy Vanica
Umpires: Scott Matheson, Scott Strenski, Evan Gardiner
Photo gallery of the game is here.
