On a perfect spring day for footy, the Cincinnati Dockers and Louisville Kings began their journey as a combined Ohio Valley squad when they took on the Nashville Kangaroos at Elmington Park. The weather for the game could not be more ideal with a game time temperature of 79F, however, the winds, gusty to 25 mph, would be a deciding factor throughout the contest.

After upsetting defending MAAFL premiers Chicago United, the Nashville Kangaroos were full of confidence but could not know what to expect from the Ohio Valley combination.

Ohio Valley won the coin toss and wisely chose to take the wind in the first quarter. They were rewarded for that choice as center half forward Chet Ridenour kicked the first two goals of the contest to give Ohio Valley the lead by 11 points. The Kangaroos knew that they were in for a long, hard battle. The Kangaroos came storming back with three of their own, led by rookie Chris Moerman who is rapidly becoming a favorite target of the Nashville midfielders. A tremendous unsighted pass from Moerman found fellow rookie Blair Morris, who scored Nashville's first goal from the resulting set shot. Revolution forward Dave Walker kicked a beauty from a steep angle straight into the breeze, then Moerman scored his first from a sideways punt, displaying the style that would dominate the highlights for the rest of the game. After the opening quarter, it was the Kangaroos 3.4.22 to the Ohio Valley 2.0.12.

The second quarter was basically The Chris Moerman Show, as the amazed spectators pondered repeatedly, "How in the world did that go in?" What else can you say when he bags four in a quarter? The Kangaroos lead exploded to 30 points with outstanding shepherding and team play, particularly aided by great work from Co-Captain Luke Nemeth, who repeatedly started the attack from his position at center half back, and assistant coach Dee Vsetecka, showing why they were selected to the Revolution US national team. Nathan Walker kept Ohio Valley close with his first goal of the match, scoring with under two minutes before the half-time siren. Nashville did not make full use of the wind advantage, experiencing the challenges of adjusting to the gusty wind. However, Nashville scoring 26 points to the Ohio Valley's 7 points for the second quarter was more than enough to end the first half well in control. At half time, the Kangaroos led in marks 27-19 and on the scoreboard 7.6.48 to 3.1.19.

The third quarter had a decidedly different tone than the first half. Nashville found themselves continuously frustrated by the sharp passing of Ohio Valley, who were able to hang on throughout the quarter. Former Revolution star Kyle Strenski and Jack Jacobs continually gave the Kangaroos issues as they found plenty of the ball. After almost five minutes of struggle, Ohio Valley's venerable leader Matt Seuling showed how to take marks against younger, more agile players. He snagged his first goal to draw the game close. Two outstanding hand passes from Moerman and Jeff Persson found Gilberto Ortiz open from five yards out for his first goal of the day. Moerman again marked strongly and scored his sixth to extend the lead to five goals. In a flurry of fast-paced action in the last minute, Seuling used every ounce of strength to get his second, a very long goal, barely clearing the outstretched hand of Nashville defender Nick Parker. After three quarters, the Kangaroos led Ohio Valley 9.8.62 to 5.3.33.

The final quarter began with a very strong play by Ohio Valley. Backmen Jason Dean and Eric Floyd led the defense in shutting down the Nashville forward line which in turn turbo charged their offense. Three unanswered Ohio Valley goals in rapid fashion, two from Seuling and one from Ridenour, reduced the Nashville lead from 29 down to only 11 points. Desperate action by Kangaroo wing Evan Ling combined with ruckman Damien Serong forced a turnover, allowing Serong to line up from 35 yards out at a tight angle and pop it straight through the middle, ending Ohio Valley resurgence. A tremendous run down from behind by co-Captain Travis Quigley prevented a goal and proved to be the turning point for the Roos, as further goals from Ortiz and Moerman closed out a solid win for the Kangaroos. Despite an even final quarter, the overall stats were decidedly in favor of the Kangaroos, winning the marks stats 45-32.

Nashville 12.8.80 Ohio Valley 8.4.52

Goalkickers:
Ohio Valley: Matt Seuling 4, Chet Ridenour 3, Nathan Walker
Nashville: Chris Moerman 7, Gilberto Ortiz 2, Damian Serong, Dave Walker, Blair Morris

Best Players:
Ohio Valley: Jason Dean, Jack Jacobs, Eric Floyd, Chet Ridenour, Matt Seuling, Kyle Strenski
Nashville: Luke Nemeth, Dee Vsetecka, Chris Moerman, Damian Serong, Nick Parker, Dave Walker

Umpires
Field: Craig Warner, Grant White
Goal: Toby Persson, Alex Benjamin

Attendance: 200

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