REVs bowled over in season finale
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Previous coverage
* Dec. 22: Rebels win 7-6 thriller
* Dec. 14: REVS shine in shutout win
* Nov. 30: Ball Busters overwhelm REVs
For AlleganyPlayground.com
CUMBERLAND — It was a tale of two halves on Tuesday night in U12 Recreation Division indoor soccer action at the Riverside YMCA in Cumberland.
Unfortunately for the REVs, the second half was too much like the first half.
The Frankfort Talons clawed, scrapped and kicked their way to a 9-4 victory in the REVs’ season finale. The Talons were one of the most physical opponents of the REVs of the season. Afterwards, the coach said it didn’t take long for her to remember playing against the Talons in the second game of the season. Then, too, the Talons made contact with REVs players early and often. On Tuesday, many REVs athletes spent too much time getting up from the turf after contact.
The Talons took a 2-1 lead less than six minutes into the game and never stopped hustling and checking the REVs, keeping them off balance and away from the ball when it counted most. The REVs tied the game 29 seconds later, 3:32 into the first half, but the Talons responded 65 seconds later with a goal of their own and scored with 9:30 left before halftime.
The Talons enjoyed a 4-2 lead at intermission, but it could have been a bigger lead. The REVs defense and goalie made a number of stops in the final three minutes of play before the whistle but the Talons couldn’t cross the threshold of the net.
The REVs had a chance to settle down at halftime and try to figure things out. Whatever was discussed, it didn’t work. Only 34 seconds into the second half, the Talons scored the eventual game-winner for a 5-2 lead.
The Talons led 6-2, then gave up a goal with 13:14 left to play. Once again, the Talons responded and scored less than two minutes later for a 7-3 lead. They went up 8-3 with 7:06 left to play in regulation.
This time, the REVs responded, but the team’s fourth goal — with 3:44 left on the clock — was not posted to the scoreboard. The Talons scored their ninth and final goal of the night with 33 seconds remaining in the match.
The REVs finish the season with a 2-7 record in what was many team members’ first indoor season. There is no playoff tournament in the Recreation Division.
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