The April edition of the Green White Newsletter is hear just in time for the Easter weekend.  This month, we say goodbye with a tribute to Mrs. Gyurko; catch up on the final indoor games of the men’s teams, and look forward to the spring with the complete schedules for all Green White teams.  Don’t forget the indoor end of season award winners and answer to the trivia question on page 13.

• April 2010I hope you enjoy it.

Fritz

This month’s edition of the Green White Newsletter contains a tribute to Stefan Zimmer, one of the all time greats of Green White lore.  We’ve also recounted the exploits of the alte herren at the 2010 Las Vegas King Cup; scoured the police blotters to note the activities of recidivist Jon Duddles; contacted PETA to report abuses by the youth teams, and are pleased to see that Colum Donahue has finally found happiness.  I hope you enjoy.

• February 2010

On October 17, 2009, the Over 30 Team played Calisia at the Schwaben Center in Buffalo Grove.  The first half was evenly played with both sides having share of possession and chances on goal.  Keith Andersson and Mitch Lechowski played well up front and created 5 or 6 attempts at goal that resulted in near misses.  Defensively, GW played solidly in the first half with Gabby Sepiashvili making a couple saves when Calisia was able to find holes in the defense.  The score at half time was 0-0.  Andres Marcus yellow card.  The second half started the way the first half ended and was even until 15 minutes into the match when a turnover in the midfield led to a quick counter.  After a couple short passes, Calisia played a long ball to a wide open winger who from 15 yards out was able to slide it past a sprawling Sepiashvili.  Calisia scored 15 minutes later when GW was pushing forward for the equalizer.  They played a long ball out of the back and after a quick couple passes found a wide open Calisia player in the 18 yard box and who easily played the ball into an empty net (Gabby had come off his line to thwart the initial attempt).  Man of the match was Sepiashvili who, as usual, made several point blank stops to keep the score line close.  Of course, it could  not go without mention that resident brainiac Herb Sherry was dropped off at an empty GW Clubhouse for the away fixture.  Realizing the mistake and unable to make contact with his ride, Sherry borrowed a the car of a certain Newsletter Editor and in classy style, returned it with no gas in the tank.  Nice.  (Reporting contributions from John Parsinen).

Squad:  Gabby Sepiashvili (k), Keith Andersson, John Christopher, Rob Czop, Mike Gressle, Eugene Kim, Mitch Lechowski, Andres Marcus, Pat Palbicke, John Parsinen, Les Rebbeck, Herb Sherry, Axel Vega, Nate Walker.

On  September 19, 2009 the Green White O30 Team trekked to Oakbrook, Illinois for a date with Eagles AAC.  In a developing theme for the season, the O30 Team found themselves short of players, while the opposition had a small army of recruits at their disposal.  Of critical importance this time around; however, was the absence of an experienced net-minder for the green team.  Perhaps knowing that the jig was finally up, Herb Sherry relented and volunteered to don the gloves in the first half.  (Editor’s note:  Mr. Sherry is one of “those guys” – an accomplished goal keeper who played several seasons at UNC in the late 80s/early 90s, but fancies playing in the field over duties between the pipes.  The poor sap thought nobody was on to him, but now he has been outed.)  In any event, Mr. Tar Heel gave up two first half goals, so when Chris Wixson “tired” in the field, he relieved Sherry in the net.  In the second half, a foul in the box lead to a penalty kick that extended the Eagles’ advantage to 3-0.  However, on the restart following the penalty kick, Greg Boltz sent Rob Czop into the opposition’s box for an eminent collision with the hard charging keeper.  Czop, who barely qualifies as a paper weight, was sent flying by the sliding keeper.  Ironically, there was no call on the challenge, but a penalty kick was whistled when the keeper turned and barreled down Little Czop after collecting the ball.  No points for lack of intelligence.  Dan Briggs converted the penalty to pull one back for Green White.  Not long thereafter, GW was thought to have gotten another, when Czop crossed in to the far post, but John Christopher struck it off the crossbar.  Shortly after the missed opportunity, a bad touch from Keith Andersson sent the ball looping over Wixson for an own goal to make the final score 4-1 Eagles.  (Reporting contributions from Greg Boltz).

Squad:  Herb Sherry (k), Chris Wixson (k),  Keith Andersson, Greg Boltz, Stan Borione, Dan Briggs, John Christopher, Rob Czop, Mike Gressle, Brett Lasher, Pat Palbicke,  Ben Reeves, Nate Walker.    Goals:  D.Briggs 1 (assist: R.Czop).

On September 12, 2009, the Green White Over 30 Team hosted Lions at Majewski Park.  Green White entered the contest short staffed, fielding only nine regular cast members, but were buoyed by the addition of several new players.  The team got off to a great start when keeper Jimmy Dionne scored a goal on a punt (that’s right a punt).  With the wind at his back, Dionne booted a line drive that the Lions’ keeper misjudged and painfully watched  bounce over his head and into the net.  Unfortunately, the advantage was erased ten minutes later when Lions forged an attack down the right flank and turned in a cross that was met by a streaking volley into the back of the net.  Ten minutes later, Lions increased the lead on a strike from 30 yards out when Dionne lost sight of the ball in the sun.  GW added pressure in the second half as they pushed numbers forward in search of the equalizer.  The home side’s best chance came with 15 minutes remaining  when Dan Briggs made a great run down the wing and rounded the end line to cut the ball back to Mike Gressle sitting 10 yards out from goal.  But Seńor Totem Pole’s one time effort glanced off the cross bar and out for a goal kick.  The Lions sealed the victory in the waning minutes on a quick counter.  After a melee at the top of the box, a Lions player gained possession and fired the ball into the net from 18 yards out.  With the loss, the O30 Team dropped to 0-2 on the season.  (Reporting contributions from John Parsinen).