Kings Goal Club

Senior goalie Steve Michalak

The Kings Knights put it all together in the second half to come from behind and tie the LaSalle Lancers 1-1 in the opening match for Kings.  At the 12 minute mark in the first half, the Lancers jumped out to a 1-0 lead after they capitalized on a loose ball in the Kings backfield.  They converted the breakaway for the early lead.  That was the way the first half ended.  Both Brandon Byrd and Eric Barnes delivered quality shots on goal in the first half, but it was Kings goal keeper Steve Michalak, making his first start as a senior, who kept the Knights in the game with some outstanding goalie play.

Head coach Erik Poggi should remember what he told the team at halftime. They came out a different team. The Knights found a way to turn on the offensive pressure in the second half and came out of the break with a greater sense of urgency.  The Knights started winning more 50-50 balls to generate some legitimate scoring threats and began to look like a new team.  The second half pattern involved Kings developing their offensive build up only to see the Lancers counter.  But time after time it was team tri-captain Michalak who would turn away the Lancers threat with one save after another.

But midway through the second half, the Lancers’ keeper was warned by the referee for holding the ball too long.  Then, with four minutes left in the game, the Lancers’ keeper was called again.  This time the referee awarded the Knights with an indirect kick just outside the 18 yard box.  Lucas Abraao took the kick and delivered the assist to Leo Mesones who buried the ball in the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.  The last four minutes saw two yellow cards and plenty of physical play but Kings held their composure and a giant comeback to tie the score was complete..

Overall, the Knights back line of Brandon Coughlin, Michael Kettler, Sam Fadayel, Garrett Householder, Alex Kowal and Garrett Irwin gave Michalak all the support he needed.  The Knights played without the services of senior tri-captain Mikey Roat who was sidelined with the flu.

Kings next match is at Northwest on Monday, August 30.

Starters

Forwards: Byrd, Abraao

Midfielders: Barnes, McLelland, Mesones, Burkert

Defenders: Fadayel, Householder, Coughlin, Kettler

Keeper: Michalak