The Joy of Six

The Beer Engines continued their impressive start to the season with a resounding victory over TCFC. The newly promoted Beer Engines lined up in their usual 4-4-2 formation with a diamond midfield with Joe Schmidt making his debut after recovering from injury. Pundits speculated if Joe would be too similar to first choice striker JJ. The combination proved electric, combining for the first two goals.

TCFC's wide 4-3-3 challenged the Beer Engine defense with strong hold up play and quick counter attacks, but the defense was resolute and snuffed out a majority of the opposition attacks. The defense was dominant in the air, tidy in the tackle, and quick to smother any passes in the defensive third of the field. Goalkeeper Jake was not called upon regularly during the game. But when a TCFC winger broke into the box with the ball, Jake showed his sharp reflexes and one on one skill in rushing out to cut down the attacker's angle and pushing his shot just wide of the post.

The good guys eventually broke down the opposing team and notched four more goals. Nico displayed his skill in attack by lofting a shot over the keeper from outside the box and later dancing through the TCFC defenders and burying a shot low into the corner. JJ, with three assists to his credit, rounded off a fine performance by tickling the twine with a powerful strike.

The newly promoted Beer Engines have been performing above expectations with four wins from their first four games. In the post-match press conference, player/manager/playa Chris attributed the team's fine form to a harmonious dressing room. Sterner challenges surely await, but the squad seems to be firing on all cylinders at the moment.

VENI, VIDI, VICI

As the dawn rose, cold and gray, the valiant Beer Engines realized that the season opening road battle could represent a turning point from last year's non-playoff qualifying disappointment; but, knowing that the Knights of Bloomington would not just lay down and allow the Beer Engines to cut a swath through their D3 Blue opponents.

As the two teams spent the first 10 minutes trying to find each other's weaknesses, it was the Engines who controlled play for the most part and saw the better of the chances. As the game progressed, it was this run of play that eventually led to a Beer Engine goal, as a Andy Leach played a through ball to C. Zewiske at the top of the box and was rewarded for his run off the ball, as he buried the return flick for the 1-0 lead. That was all the Beer Engines would need as a stellar defensive effort from a revamped back line and a conscientious effort in goal kept the Knights off the board. New addition, Mark David, showed a fine finishing touch early in the second half, to open his Beer Engines account and make the score 2-0, and C. Zewiske added a late insurance goal to make it 3-0.

The Gaffer did some late switching of positions, specifically allowing A. Bommarito, in a moving return to action following a horrendous knee injury the previous season, to move to the striker position, and moving other players to unfamiliar roles in an attempt to judge the ability of the squad members, but the score remained the same, a final of 3-0. The Beer Engines maintained their fine road performance from last as they came, they saw and they conquered.

Next week, May 9: Thresher #3 vs. C-Sub-60.

Three Precious Points

On a humid day the Beer Engines fought bravely for a win to keep their playoff dreams alive. The attack was creating chances, but they were either squandered or eaten up by the opposition's gigantic goalie. After the half the good guys found more space to operate and laid siege to the goalie's box. The break through came with ten minutes left as youth academy product Andy Leach nodded home a perfectly placed cross from Chris Zewiske. It was the rookie's first goal for Beer Engines and he celebrated in considered style.

At the other end the Beer Engine defense capably dealt with long balls launched from the opposite box. Keeper Jake Turzynski had a quite night, but proved his sharpness when faced with a one-on-one. An opposing winger streaked into the box with the ball and Jake rushed out to meet him. Not only did Jake block the shot, but he managed to hold onto the ball.

The scoreline belies the Beer Engine's dominance, but the team will be happy with a win.

Goal Bonanza

After struggling to find the net, Coach Zewiske made a bold move by shuffling his line-up.Midfielder Aaron Bommarito was moved into the defense and Peter Yamashiro was deployed as a forward instead of his normal place in central midfield. The gamble paid off with four Beer Engines opening their accounts and youth academy product Andy was given his first taste of The Show. While not as ruthless in front of goal as they would have liked, the good guys scored six goals and could have easily made it double digits.

Peter Keffer opened the floodgates and was soon followed by a well taken shot by Bob Schmidt off a left footed cross by Ian Zewiske. Later scorer turned provider as Peter Keffer played a ball into Chris Zewiske, who made no mistake from seven feet to make it three - nil. The fourth goal came from a training ground set piece after Andy Leach made a dummy run over the ball and created enough space for Demian to curl the ball off the far post and in. A defensive error allowed the visitors to pull one back just before half time.

The second half saw the Beer Engines miss a penalty and Peter Yamashiro fail to steer the ball home from six yards after an excellent set up by Tim Riley. Peter and Peter combined for the second time for a goal after Yamashiro dragged the ball back from the end line and played it across for Keffer to finish. Peter Yamashiro capped the scoring after pouncing on a lazy pass between defenders.

The dazzling display buoyed the home fans' hopes of stealing a playoff spot. A difficult road trip lies ahead of the Beer Engines and the supporters will hope that the offensive production will continue to compliment the league's best defense.

Thresher Woes

Beer Engines and Half Time Rec would play to a 0-0 draw at the home field last evening. This game was really all Beer Engines, as they controlled the play for large periods of time during both halves, leading many sideline wags (no, not WAGs) to claim that Thresher was an uneven playing field for visiting teams. However, it was the Engines who could not capitalize, C. Zewiske, a former stalwart on the golden boot tables, missed two sitters and the other members of the strikeforce also failed to capitalize, though there were many excellent individual contributions, including the play of Jori Schwach through the midfield, and Tim Riley, Joe Miller and Geno Genosky on the backline, controlling the defensive side of the field and leading to the constant second half pressure put on the Half Time Rec goal. The Engines can only hope that they do not rue these missed chances, as playoff seedings crystalize late in July. The fans will be looking forward to many shouts of "Put it on the Blog! Yes!" as the team returns to the home field for a game against C-Sub-60.

Road Warriors

The Beer Engines road excellence continued on May 24, 2010, with a well deserved win against the Bloomington Knights. Bob Schmidt's stinging header midway through the first half garnered the lead, one the Engines would never relinquish. A sterling back line held a strong forward duo of the Knights off the board and the Engines would tack on a late safety goal to round out the scoring.

Beer Engines Away Kit