Martyrs-Istituto Polacco Recap
In sports there is a thin line between ecstasy and agony – a state usually measured by the latest statement of the scoreboard. In a match that seemed to move between those two extremes, the Martyrs fell to the Istituto Polacco in its most recent contest. Settling a 3-3 tie in regulation, the commanding 4-2 shootout win by the Poles offered a teachable moment to the aspiring Martyrs in the young season.
It was a tale of two halves. The Martyrs entered the suffocatingly small Field B of the Oratorio di San Pietro with a measure of calm. The squad employed its 4-3-3 alignment, flanking recently recovered striker Deacon Daniel O’Mullane ’10 (Patterson) with veteran Deacon James Morrison ’10 (Mobile) and newcomer Chris Seiler ’13 (St. Louis). The lineup also included the insertion of New Man Eli Gieske ’13 (Duluth), a move that seemingly gave witness to the Martyrs’ unprecedented depth of personnel.
The roster adjustments did little to disorient the team in the early going, as the Martyrs controlled the action, expanding the tight pitch with good spacing and passing. After a number of unrewarded advances, the squad accepted a gift from Rafal Mosior, the Polish keeper. Continuing his strong play from the left midfield, Jeff Eirvin ’12 (Portland in Oregon) sent a well-struck ball across the box. Diving forward Mosior grasped the ball momentarily, only to see it squirt free onto the awaiting foot of Morrison. The 20th minute tap-in put the Martyrs in front 1-0, a lead it would take into halftime.
Buoyed by its largest cheering section to date – one that included Most Rev. Thomas Rodi, archbishop of Mobile – the Martyrs seemed poised to pull away from a Polish team that had allowed ten goals in its first two matches. As the second half began, however, two new teams emerged on the pitch. Credit Polish forward Giovanni Filoni for the first breath of new life on the opposing side. Intercepting a pass from Gieske in the opening moments of the restart, Filoni knifed to the left past Martyrs’ Captain Victor Ingalls ’12 (Mobile) and found a slight opening in the back line. The left-footed, fifteen-meter shot could not be considered well-struck, but what it lacked in velocity it exceeded in placement, tucking itself into the goal’s far corner, past a sprawling Daniel Gallagher ’13 (Pittsburgh). And before the halftime tailgaters returned to the stands, the scoreboard read 1-1.
What was surprise soon turned into shock. Moments after their equalizer, the Poles again took possession deep in Martyrs’ territory. While it could be said the Martyrs had entered sleep-walking mode, the same could not be said for the referee. After an outwardly clean challenge from player-coach David Santos ’12 (Newark), play stopped to award the dispossessed Pole a free kick from just outside the goalie box. Krzysztof Cisek made sure his team benefited from the referee’s decision, sending a beautifully kicked ball floating into the high, left corner of the goal. Gallagher could merely wave at the free kick masterpiece. Five minutes into the second half the Martyrs suddenly trailed 2-1, their first deficit of the season.
As the Martyrs righted themselves and the Poles clawed for their first points of the season, the match increased in intensity, if not skill. In the 20th minute of the second half, a moment of redemption finally came from a familiar hero. Attacking a ball powerfully thrown in by O’Mullane, first-year midfielder John Gibson ’13 (Milwaukee) again made his presence felt. His header caromed off keeper Moisor’s hands, only to be swiped out just before clearing the goal line. As the Polish defenders looked on, another New Man pounced. Nick Nelson ’13 (Duluth) sent the ball in on the rebound, leveling the score at 2-2.
As before, however, the tie would not last long. Five minutes later the Polish squad sent a midfield free kick into the box. As the ball landed over the head of Deacon Fernando Saenz ’10 (Santa Fe), a free offensive player darted in to collect it. Martyrs’ keeper Gallagher moved in too late to field the ball cleanly, but in time to challenge for possession. As the two players collided the ball rolled out of bounds, untouched. On a good day, this would have been a goal kick for the Martyrs. This was not a good day. The Polish pleading was again rewarded, positioning themselves a penalty kick away from another lead. Filoni converted the chance as Gallagher guessed the other way. With five minutes to play, the Martyrs found themselves looking up at a 3-2 Polish lead.
Refusing to go quietly, the Martyrs again took to the offensive. After a few hopeful chances were turned back, the opportunity to salvage the match seemed unlikely. That is, until Morrison decided the team had another goal left. Sending a header into the back line of the Polish defense, Morrison forced a desperation kick from a defender that went straight into the veteran forward’s chest. With one touch, Morrison floated the ball over both the disoriented defender and the misplaced goalie. A shootout awaited to decide the 3-3 tie.
After the initial Polish attempt went wide and O’Mullane converted his, it appeared the Martyrs would incredibly find themselves victorious. This 1-0 advantage, however, was the only lead the team would own, as the Poles struck solidly on their remaining four attempts, while only Morrison could continue his heroics for the Martyrs. The 4-2 defeat in penalty kicks was the Martyrs’ first regular season defeat in two seasons, offering the team important perspective shift.
The story of the Martyrs’ season continues Saturday at 9:00 a.m. against Anglo-Celtic Colleges United.
More Photos
