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Turning back the clock

Paul One and the Living Legend turned back the clock. Then they turned on the goal light.

On a day tailor-made for the young speedsters, it was the wile and guile of the pair grizzled veterans that teamed up to seal a hard-fought 20-15 comeback win. Chasing down the evil orange plastic ball in the corner, Paul One, making only his third start of the season, spied his aging linemate taking advantage of defensive indifference by streaking into the slot. His pass was pinpoint. All the Legend had to do was tap it past a hapless Billy Idol.

"That was a combined 90 years teamed up to score that goal," said the Colonel, no longer a spry slapshooter himself. "The cagey vets don't come through every week, but this week they absolutely did."

In fact, it was veteran experience that set the table for their game-winning heroics.

With a lineup long in the tooth and short on speed, Sunday's victors had to battle back from a 10-5 deficit at half time as they struggled in the game's early-going to keep up with their young rivals who capitalized on the dry conditions to exploit their their speed advantage, pouncing on rebounds and creating havoc at the edge of the crease. A team meeting at the break helped turn the tide.

They were down, but they weren't out. They may not have been able to run with their rivals, but they could still outfox them.

"We had faith in our guys that we could do it," said Lak Attack. "We knew we were working hard out there, and we knew we just needed to get the next one, just take it one goal at a time."

"(The veterans) know the game, they know where to take advantage of opportunities because they can see them develop," said the Colonel. "They're quick to make the other team pay."

That cool-headed reserve rubbed off on their young teammate, Doo. He roared up the court with new found confidence, lifting shots under the crossbar instead of dishing off half-hearted passes.

"We just had to start getting some shots on net because you can build your confidence after getting a couple of rebound goals," said the sophomore sniper. "It's all about the shots."

His veteran mates sensed the shift in momentum.

"With veteran guys, they know the game can change quickly," said Lak Attack, as his team outscored their opponents 15-5 in the game's second half. "They don't waver much in their confidence, they know they've got to work hard out there."

"They know no lead is safe," said Beetle Boy. "You just can't rest on your laurels and we maybe let up a little bit and then we were in trouble."

FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THIS WEEK'S GAME,, CLICK HERE

Posted by jaysuburb at February 17, 2008 04:25 PM