By the final match of the day, mud was everywhere, on everyone and everything. Even worse ominous clouds had rolled in, threatening to cause end-of-the-day game problems and no one wanted a repeat of Opening Day results. The O’Lydia’s Purple Reign and the McBob’s Gael Winds both took the field, eager to get their game underway and in the books. From the first big play of the game, this match was action-packed. O’Lydia’s’ Sam Hanrahan soloed his way down the field making a brilliant pass to his teammate, captain, and dad, Andy Hanrahan. Despite the attempt for a point going wide, the play was still brilliant. It was McBob’s’ captain Rob McCommons that would score the first point of the game, followed by back-to-back points from teammate Brian Marsolek. A brilliant save by McBob’s’ goalie Nate Baumann kept the Purple Reign from scoring a goal, but O’Lydia’s’ Paul “Tebow” Steinbrecher put his team on the board with a point. The quarter ended with McBob’s leading 2-4 (10) over the Purple Reign 0-2 (2).
The second quarter was a meeting of the defenses. O’Lydia’s full-back line put up a strong defensive stand, keeping the Gael Winds out of their goal for the second quarter. McBob’s did manage to score a few points including one each from Marsolek and Connor Kilp. O’Lydia’s’ forwards snuck a goal past the Gael Winds defense just before the end of the half. At the whistle, McBob’s had the lead 2-7 (13) over the Purple Reign 1-3 (6).
In addition to offensive attacks by the McBob’s’ Gael Winds, it was the brilliant saves by Baumann and their defense, including Brian Lynch that kept the Purple Reign from closing the gap. Kilp and his offensive teammates were aiming for uprights every chance they got and managed to land a total of three points before the end of the half. O’Lydia’s efforts defensively paid off and allowed them to score not one, but two goals against the Gael Winds before the whistle. At the end of the half, McBob’s had lessened the gap 3-4 (13) against McBob’s 4-10 (22).
After a tough game on Opening Day, the Gael Winds were not going to take their foot of the gas and wanted to make sure they achieved victory. The continued to take every shot on goal that they could but only managed to score one. They did however, add four points in addition to that goal, bringing their total for the quarter up to seven points. Despite playing from behind the whole game, the Purple Reign did not give up, this was not any clearer than the valiant effort of rookie Paul Bestul, who made a brilliant pass to his teammate that helped move the ball down to the goal. Feeling the excitement of the game coming to a close, Kilp threw the sliotar on his hurley and ran down field, only to stop and pass to Marsolek for their final point of the quarter. It was O’Lydia’s that had the final points of the game when Kyle Manderscheid sent in a brilliant goal past Baumann and the Gael Winds defense. The match ended with the McBob’s Gael Winds 5-14 (29) blowing past the Purple Reign 4-6 (18).