Berenice Soccer

The first weekend of June brought sunshine and temperatures in the 80’s to much of the Bay Area. However, for once, the Reserves were thankful to be playing at the Polo Fields under an afternoon cover of fog that cooled things off. BSC’s opponent – Celtic Reserves – as always, were positioned closely in the First Division table with BSC, just one point ahead.

Perhaps lulled by the weather, both sides got off to a sleepy start in the first half. BSC saw few opportunities on goal, although Elmasnaouy was involved in the play early and often at the striker position. Joe Appel – who had been inactive due to an injury suffered toward the end of the 2009 season – also rejoined the BSC back line during the first half, making his presence known immediately with several strong tackles. Otherwise, most of the play in the first half consisted of either team attempting to control the ball through the midfield. With the exception of BSC outside midfielder Azevedo, who showed poise and skill with the ball at his feet, BSC struggled to maintain composure on the ball when put under pressure from Celtic.  Half: BSC 0, Celtic 0.

The second half saw an increased sense of urgency and physical play from both teams. Yellow cards were handed out to Elmasnaouy and Langdon, and BSC’s frustration began to rise when the center official ignored calls on several apparent hand balls, one inside Celtic’s penalty area. However, in the 75th minute, BSC midfielder Millstein dribbled in behind the Celtic defense on the far side of the penalty area, and sent in a floating cross to the penalty spot where Elmasnaouy laid out for a spectacular diving header. BSC 1, Celtic O.

Realizing that they needed to respond in order to save the match, Celtic aggressively attacked the BSC goal in the final 15 minutes of play. In the 85th minute, Celtic earned a free kick just outside of BSC’s area. A tall Celtic forward headed the ball to the far post past keeper Diaz, but missing the far post by no more than 2 feet. Celtic had several more similar chances that nearly evened the score, but the BSC defense held strong until the final whistle. Final: BSC 1, Celtic 0.

Man of the Match: Elmasnaouy, for his world-class golden goal.

The BSC 1st Team took to the pitch at Crocker on Sunday determined to continue their winning streak against a bottom of the table Mexicali side. From the kickoff, BSC dominated play and look confident. The seasoned back line of Spaull, Appel and Crowe, with newcomer Carrizalez in goal, easily controlled the Mexicali attack. Midfielders Pumacayco, Saab, Welch, Jigalin and Kurland were anchored by Giuliacci. Bedri, Stockett, Sweetnam and Hernandez rounded out the attack. Despite clear domination of play and number of chances, including a wicked shot from Hernandez that beat the keeper but ricocheted off the post, BSC could not find the back of the net the first half. BSC 0 – Mexicali 0

The second half saw Mexicali start to tire and the game opened up. Vicevich replaced Carrizalez in goal and BSC started to make better attacking decisions which resulted in a number of chances. Saab, Sweetnam and Stockett each had clear goal scoring chances, but just couldn’t find the back of the net. But just as the frustration was reaching it’s peak in the 55th minute, Sweetnam dribbled into the box and ran up against a Mexicali defender. The ball bounced between them a bit then popped out, the Mexicali keeper came out in an attempt to win the ball, but Sweetnam was able to move quickly and stab a chip shot that went high into the air, over the keeper, and came down in the net. A well deserved goal. BSC 1 – Mexicali 0

Around the 65th minute came a second goal for BSC. Some wide combination put a ground pass back to the top of the 18 yard box, where Saab hit a beautiful soft shot that curved over the entire Mexicali defense, including the keeper, and found the side netting. BSC 2 – Mexicali 0

In the 80th minute, Giuliacci received outside the attacking third and took space, dribbling into the 18 yard box. Everyone was convinced he was going to shoot, but instead he patiently beat the defenders and dribbled the ball just wide of goal near the end line, then put a clean pass on the ground across the face of the goal to find Saab unmarked at the far post. Saab simply tapped it in for the easy goal. BSC 3 – Mexicali 0

At the final whistle, BSC felt the scoreline could have been higher, but was happy with a well played match and another 3 points. Next up, top of the table Celtic…

At first, it didn’t look so good. Under blustery, windy conditions at the Polo Fields on Sunday, the BSC First Team had three players bail last minute and a fourth not show up. And so it was that BSC kicked off with only 10 men. However, it was mere minutes into the match when they were put to full strength when Welch donned a jersey and decided to come back from injury two weeks early to help out.

With the wind at their advantage, BSC immediately began to possess the ball and attack. A 3-5-2 formation gave BSC domination of the midfield through Micklewright, Kurland and Giuliacci center… with Saab and Pumacayo attacking the wings. Appel, Welch and Jigalin held the back line while Hernandez and Bedri ran up top. Despite the foul pitch, BSC moved the ball with confidence and skill.

At 10 mins, the seal was broken when BSC gained possession on the right side and Jigalin hit a one time pass to Giuliacci, who hit it with this left from 20 yards to beat the keeper. BSC 1 – BCR 0

Bay City Rovers played a long ball game, trying to find their two formidable strikers… but the organization and focus of the BSC defense was able to squash most chances. However, at 15 mins, a Bay City corner kick found one of their strikers who was able to head it past BSC keeper Frankel from 5 yards for the equalizer. BSC 1 – BCR 1

Instead of getting discouraged, BSC stepped up and dominated play with even more confidence. The BSC midfield and forward ensemble played one and two touch soccer, spinning the BCR defense on their lips. At 20 mins, looking for revenge, Giuliacci took a precision corner kick that found Bedri unmarked 5 yards out. Bedri put a clinical header into the back of the net for the go ahead goal. BSC 2 – BCR 1

At 35 mins, good combination play set Hernandez loose dribbling against the BCR defense. After weaving through a few defenders, Hernandez fired off a powerful shot from 20 yards that took a deflection to wrongfoot the keeper and find the back of the net.

At the half, BSC 3 – BCR 1

In the second half, BSC ran into the wind, which was substantial. BCR kept to their long ball tactics, which saw a bit more success due to the wind advantage… but still were unable to threaten goal with any consistency. Meanwhile, BSC continued to play with flair and create chances. At 55 mins, one such chance came off a free kick from 30 yards out. Giuliacci stepped up to take the kick when he saw that Micklewright was open. Again hitting the ball with precision, Giuliacci’s free kick curved over the defense to the far post, where an unrushing Micklewight hit it one time on the volley into the far side netting. BSC 4 – BCR 1

At 75 mins, a scramble in the box saw Micklewright and Hernandez slicing up the BCR defense with some dribbling. Hernandez eventually broke free around the keeper and hit a perfect chip shot. However, some crazy wind turbulence caught the ball and slowed it to nearly a stop in midair, where it kissed the crossbar and then fell down towards the keeper, who bobbled it but managed to control it.

Keeper Frankel was relatively untested throughout the match. At 75mins, Frankel swapped out with keeper Vicevich who had just been cleared by medical to return to play.

At 80 mins, a wide pass found Pumacayo alone. With poise, Pumacayo dribbled inside, faked a shot or two, then layed off a pass… Giuliacci, with a running start, lined it up and unleashed a ferocious shot from 20 yards that knuckled and practically took off the BSC keeper’s head on it’s way into the top of the net. The BCR keeper actually ducked a bit to avoid the power shot. BSC 5 – BCR 1

At the final whistle, BSC felt as if they finally played up to their full potential. Newcomer Saab and call up Pumacayo played very well. The team defense and attack was solid. With two assists and two goals, Man of the Match goes to Giuliacci.

Memorial Holiday is off and then BSC continue their winning run on June 7th.

An unusually full-sided Reserve squad faced off against South City FC on Sunday at the Polo Fields. BSC Reserves, plagued by injuries throughout the first half of this season, were reenergized by finally having numerous subs available for the match. Returning to Reserves’ roster from injuries were goalkeeper Alberto Jovel, 1st team midfielder Dev Millstein, and midfielder Elmasnaouy. With the return of Jovel, backup goalkeeper Brunson was happily deployed to the field at the stopper position, solidifying BSC’s back line. BSC newcomers Joseph Haule (D) and Andrew Moiseff (M) also strengthened the Reserves’ starting roster.

For the first 20 minutes of the match, the Reserves put heavy pressure on So. City’s defensive line, creating a number of scrambles for the ball in City’s defensive third. On one occasion – and perhaps BSC’s best chance throughout the match – Elmasnaouy smartly anticipated a rebound off the So. City keeper’s hands after a shot by T. Bakirman. Putting himself between the keeper and ball with his back to goal inside the 6-yard box, Elmasnaouy heeled the ball off the keeper’s leg as a City defender rushed in to try to save the ball as it rolled over the goal line. However, the goal was quickly waved off by the center referee and linesman who ruled that Elmasnaouy had fouled City’s keeper in the scramble for the ball.

South City also created a number of opportunities that failed to result in a goal. During the first half, City earned several free kicks just outside of the BSC penalty area. One of these opportunities nearly put City ahead, as a City midfielder lurking on the back post glanced a header just wide of the upperhand corner of BSC’s goalpost. Several more opportunities for City came in the 2nd half. City midfielders didn’t hesitate to try BSC keeper Jovel, hitting dangerous shots that Jovel responded to by making one acrobatic save after another.

In the end, neither team was able to find the back of the net. But Jovel’s return to the BSC roster was clearly the difference-maker, allowing the Reserves to walk away with a point for the draw. Final: BSC O, So. City FC O.

Man of the Match: Alberto Jovel

The BSC Reserves were edged 2-1 on Sunday in a physical match vs. SF City. A questionable PK was called late in the first half when an SF City player collided with Reserve midfielder O. Bakirman inside the BSC penalty area. The Reserves fought back in the second half, putting SF City defenders on their heels with several strong attempts on goal. However, BSC players were left to watch as an unmarked SF City midfielder drove a ball from 25 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal for a spectacular goal. Still not willing to give up down 2-0, BSC midfielders and forwards pushed forward for the last 20 minutes of the match. Their efforts finally paid off when O. Bakirman – who was called for a PK foul in the first half – was taken down inside the SF City penalty area. Pumacayo confidently netted the PK to bring BSC back into within striking distance. But with no subs, BSC tired in the final mintues, and fell a goal short in their efforts. Final: BSC 1, SF City 2.

The first team faced a Tyneside team who were 1 point ahead of them in the standings going into the match…With several first teamers either injured or out of town, Dave Wolfe and Conor McDonald were called up to fill the void.

BSC dominated the match, passing around Tyneside, creating space and multiple scoring chances. Despite having the bulk of possession, BSC conceded an early goal in the 1st half. Failing to clear the ball from a corner kick, a Tyneside player collected (with his hand?), shot, and scored an easy tap in from only a few feet out. The ref, Ignoring BSC pleas for a handball, signaled a goal. BSC 0-1 Tyneside.

Stockett, playing as the lone striker, continued his relentless pressure on the Tyneside defense. Collecting and turning on a deep pass, Stockett advanced forward, attacking the last man. Stockett out muscled Tyneside’s last player, creating a goal scoring chance for Matt Bickerstaff who calmly slotted. BSC 1-1 Tyneside. Sweetnam was rarely called into action in the first half, smothering any Tyneside attempts that did materialize. Halftime BSC 1-1 Tyneside.

The second half began with BSC commanding even more possession. Recognizing that the Tyneside defense could not keep up with the pace of Kurland on the left wing, continued to attack down the side, exposing them several times. The pressure down the flank eventually paid off. Kurland sprinting down the flank onto a long pass, cut back on the top of the box and fired a shot near post which caught the keeper by surprise. BSC 2-1 Tyneside.

Unfortunately the lead did not last long. A miscommunication in the back gave a Tyneside striker an easy tap in shortly after. BSC 2-2 Tyneside. Following this mistake, the BSC defense turned up the intensity, with Ramirez, Luis, Appel, and McDonald continuing to smother any attempt forward. Working tirelessly, the BSC backline never allowed another clear attack.

With center mids of Giuliacci, Joe Padilla, and Wolfe pulling the strings, BSC began to fully control the game. Aaron Jones working the right flank, spread the field, and BSC turned up the attack. A through ball from the midfield caught the Tyneside defense sleeping. Bickerstaff ran onto the ball, one on one with the keeper, once again calmly slotted in. BSC 3-2 Tyneside.

Stockett was finally rewarded for all of the effort up top. Wolfe, collecting the ball in midfield, turned and again found Bickerstaff with a brilliant through ball. Bickerstaff looked up and played a great cross through the box to an open Stockett who smashed it into the open net. BSC 4-2 Tyneside.

With Tyneside fully on their heels, BSC continued to press forward. Kurland beating a defender with pace, took a shot which was saved by the Tyneside keeper, Jones lurking on the top of the box followed up the deflection and buried BSC’s fifth goal of the math. FINAL – BSC 5-2 Tyneside.

A very impressive and deserved victory for the 1st team. Every player on the field played with intensity for the full 90 minutes. Well done.

Buoyed by their previous week’s convincing victory over top-of-the-table Melchester Rovers, the BSC Reserve team confidently stepped onto the pitch Sunday against a 2nd place SFIAC team. Finally healthy enough to field a full squad plus several subs, the Reserves looked energetic early in the match. SFIAC also looked fit and well-matched in size. The first 15 minutes of action saw a battle to establish possession in the midfield. BSC midfielders Padilla, Azevedo, Pumacayo, and Frankl battled SFIAC defenders for loose balls. Meanwhile, BSC’s back line consisting of McDonald, Calvo, Orion, and Liebrecht thwarted the occasional attack by incoming SFIAC forwards. However, approximately 25 minutes into the half, a lone SFIAC forward found a loose ball just inside the BSC penalty area, and poked it over the head of BSC keeper Brunson into the far post. BSC 0, SFIAC 1.

SFIAC continued attacking for the remainder of the first half, finding opportunities on crosses and corner kicks as the Reserves attempted to sort out themselves out in their defensive third. BSC seemed unable to connect more than several passes together each time they attempted to press forward, resulting in numerous counterattacks by SFIAC. In the 40th minute, SFIAC finally capitalized on a lucky corner kick that floated over the head of a helpless keeper Brunson, ringing in off the top corner off the far post. BSC 0, SFIAC 2.

Frustrated at half, BSC stepped back onto the pitch in the second half with a renewed sense of purpose. BSC midfielders began winning loose balls in the center, with Padilla and Langdon not afraid to challenge bigger SFIAC players. Forwards Nikolin, T. Bakirman, & O. Bakirman also began orchestrating creative play inside SFIAC’s penalty area, as wing midfielders Delfino (aka “Sam”) and Azevedo found room to operate along the sidelines. SFIAC managed to hold off the Reserves attacks until the 85th minute, when determined forward T. Bakirman put a foot to a crossed ball on SFIAC’s goaline. BSC 1, SFIAC 2.

Had there been more than another 15 mintues left in the match, the Reserves would have likely drew even. However, the final whistle excused SFIAC with a win, leaving BSC hungry for a rematch. Final: BSC 1, SFIAC 2.

The first team was finally back at Crocker looking to return to their winning ways as they faced San Pablo FC.

Bolstered by the return of Giuliacci in the midfield, BSC set out to control possession and the tempo of the game. BSC looked the more threatening side, creating several chances and keeping San Pablo’s backline on their heels. With Jones and Kurland running the wings, BSC was able to spread the ball and look for crosses in the box. With Sweetnam and Hernandez checking to and playing well with the midfield, BSC held possession for most of the 1st half with San Pablo only threatening on the occasional counter attack. One such counter attack caught BSC by surprise with Mike Jigalin saving a goal-bound shot with an incredible header off the line. Shortly before the half, Mickelwright split two defenders with a deft touch and unleashed a low left-footed shot that hit off the far post. BSC was unfortunate to not go into the half with the lead. Halftime, BSC 0- San Pablo FC 0.

The second half saw San Pablo come out with more intensity than the 1st half. Applying much more pressure and attacking in numbers, the BSC defense was called into action several times. Ramirez, Jigalin, Appel, and Spaull thwarted numerous attempts forward from San Pablo. With the continued pressure, Vicevich was forced to make several unbelievable saves, keeping BSC in the game and frustrating the San Pablo attackers. With the increased pressure from San Pablo, BSC had the opportunity to counter attack. Despite catching San Pablo off balance with counter attacks, BSC was unable to string the final pass through on many occasions and squandered several goal-scoring opportunities. In the dying seconds of the game, Mickelwright, just as in the 1st half, created a goal scoring chance to win the game. Mickelwright beat several defender and hit a shot destined for the back of the net but was somehow blocked by the San Pablo keeper. The deflected shot fell to Kurland, unmarked at the back post, who incredibly was unable to tap it in for the win…devastating. BSC 0 – San Pablo FC 0.

Although BSC deserved the victory, BSC welcomed earning a point off of a team ahead of them in the standings.

Man of the Match: Vicevich who made a string of unbelievable saves to keep the game leveled.

The Reserves beat Division leaders Melchester Rovers on Sunday with a strong 2-1 performance. 

The starting 11 were Frankel (GK), Brunson, Calvo, Orion, Liebrecht in the back, Azevedo, Langdon, Padilla, and Pumacayo across the middle, and Nikolin, O. Bakirman and T. Bakirman up top.  Two new players made their BSC debut — Chris Brunson and Andy Pumacayo. 

We quickly established a great deal of possession in the first half.  We moved the ball well with quick passing, especially through the central midfield and the forwards.  Brunson sent in a number of crosses from the left back position.  O. Bakirman was everywhere challenging for the ball and pulling in two or three defenders.  We won a few corners, and generally put a fair amount of pressure on their back line and played in their half much of the time. 

However, Melchester was able to create some chances of their own.  They seemed most dangerous on set pieces and had a number of corner kicks which glanced off bodies near our goal.  But we were able to defend them well enough, with Orion sacrificing his body on one occasion to block a goal-bound blast from the penalty spot.  But we couldn’t withstand the pressure entirely.  One cross from the left floated to the back post where an unmarked Rover gave chase, only to be taken down from behind by GK Frankel, resulting in the first goal of the match via PK.  Melchester 1-0 BSC.

BSC quickly resumed our strong play and we were soon rewarded.  We sent the ball up the right flank where Padilla made a diagonal run towards the sideline.  He picked up the ball, beat the defender on the endline and sent in a cross.  The keeper couldn’t handle it and the loose ball fell to Nikolin, who blasted it home through the hands of the keeper from close range.  BSC 1-1 Melchester. 

BSC showed some fatigue in the early minutes of the second half and at times failed to switch fields, with most possession on the left hand side.  But that changed on a number of occasions with Padilla and Langdon able to free themselves from pressure and play outlet passes to Orion and Nikolin in the middle, with balls starting to get switched out to Pumacayo on the right wing.  Pumacayo found himself with all kinds of time and space on a through ball near the 18 but opted to crack the ball from distance, with his effort slicing wide right.  During another play, Pumacayo played O. Bakirman into the box where he was fouled and earned a PK.  Nikolin stepped up but put too much behind the kick, sending it hard over the crossbar. 

Undeterred, BSC remained focused and once again were rewarded.  More skill from Pumacayo and Padilla on the right led Padilla again to beat his marker on the endline.  This time he pulled the ball back to Nikolin, who scored his second of the game by slotting the ball home on a one-touch shot to the near post.  BSC 2-1 Melchester. 

As expected, Melchester threw the kitchen sink at us for the last 15 minutes.  They seemed to attack the left hand side primarily and created a few chances, again on a number of corner kicks.  But some strong team defending kept the black and red on top when the final whistle blew. 

Man of the Match: Joseph Padilla for assisting on both goals and getting stuck in for 90 minutes.

BSC Reserves stepped onto the Polo Fields on Sunday looking to capitalize on their first match of the season with a full-side of 11 players, plus one substitution. Their opponent, a youthful, newly-formed SF Vikings team, had drawn a win and a loss in the first two weeks of league play. Encouraged by seeing Berenice’s first teamers win 4-2 just minutes before stepping onto the same pitch themselves, the Reserves also aimed for their first win of the season against the Vikings.

The first fifteen minutes of play saw Berenice dominate play. BSC midfielders and forwards immediately applied pressure to the ball, catching the Vikings defense and midfield on their heels as they struggled to match the intensity of BSC. Meanwhile, the Berenice defense – anchored at sweeper by 1st teamer D. Appel and stopper Orion – played solidly, erasing any attempts by the Vikings to create offense inside the penalty area. In the 20th minute, Berenice’s efforts to win loose balls in the Vikings half of the field finally paid off. An uncleared ball in front of the Vikings goal found its way to T. Bakirman, who positioned himself at the back post, and hit the ball low into the opposite post past a diving Vikings keeper. BSC 1, Vikings O.

As the end of the first half drew near, the Vikings began to string passes together and created several dangerous counterattacks against a winded Berenice defense & midfield. To make matters worse, minutes before the end of the half Elmasnaouy twisted his already compromised knee awkwardly, forcing him to leave the rest of the match. Half, BSC 1, Vikings 0.

The second half began with fiercer play by the Vikings. Viking midfielders began to press forward, and began raining crosses in from the near side of the field attempting to connect with one of numerous players they had sent into the BSC penalty area. However, BSC defender-turned-keeper Frankel was there to greet each attempt, making several quick-reaction saves and clearances to put the ball out of danger. Not to be outdone offensively, BSC also began to create offense by finding a repeatedly unmarked Delfino on the nearside wing. BSC also began to target O. Bakirman in the midfield, who seemed to be everywhere on the offensive end, shaking defenders and finding Nikolin, Azevedo, and T. Bakirman for several near misses in front of the Vikings goal. But with no subs left, BSC began to feel its aged legs tire. In the 85th minute, after numerous counterattacks, a Viking midfielder finally slipped past several BSC defenders on the far side of the penalty area and delivered a quick pass to a waiting Viking forward who drove a ball past Frankel into the back of the net. BSC 1, Vikings 1.

With 5 minutes left and on their way to a draw, both teams looked for one last opportunity to steal a victory. The Vikings threatened immediately, feeling that they had the momentum. Berenice eventually managed to get the ball forward to Delfino, who earned a throw in from the near side. With seconds left in the match, Delfino heaved a ball into the crowded Viking box. Skimming the heads of D. Appel and a Viking defender, the ball squirted through to Nikolin who, from 15 yards out, laid back for a low side volley and slotted the ball cleanly into the back of the net for a 90th minute game-winner. Final: BSC 2, Vikings 1.

Man of the Match: Although goals by T. Bakirman & Nikolin earned BSC the win, O. Bakirman’s dominant play in the midfield made the difference in the second half. Welcome to the club Onur!