The growing heat of mid-morning foretold a day heated matches, but none more pugnacious than the first match of week 2 for the Milwaukee Hurling Club. The Griffins were out for blood for another win, and the All Tool Legion intent to get their first V in the standings. Despite the valiant effort of the Legion, triumph went to the Shamrock Club in extra time.
Both teams were quick to the ball from the initial whistle, but Shamrock club wasted no time scoring with forward Evan O’Day doubling a goal. All Tool tried to match with a vicious shot at goal by captain Steven “Schmidty” Schmid was saved by Griffon captain AJ Varelas only allowing a deflected point. The Shamrock Club midfield kept moving the ball far into Legion territory keeping constant pressure on the backline.
Into the second quarter, the All Tool Legion kept constant pressure on the frenzied Griffins and stuck to the golden rule of hurling – over the bar. Each team maintained composure despite the speed and physicality of the game play. Shamrock Club tried more dump and pump attempts on goal but Legion goalkeeper Andy Haugh made some deft saves to keep the score margin to a minimum. The Shamrock Club backline, anchored by veteran of yore -Ed Callahan, held tightly against the crescendo of offensive attempts by All Tool. This steadfast backline and pointblank saves by AJ Varelas left the Griffins with a comfortable advantage at the end of the half, Legion 0-6 (6), Shamrock 4-4 (16).
Between the tenacity of the All Tool Legion and the apparent resting on laurels of the Griffins, the third quarter was radically different game. The All Tool Legion won nearly every ball, talked and passed down and across the field, capitalized on every point, and scored a goal by Jerry Miller. The point deficit was narrowed, and the Legion was poised to take the game.
With the same grueling pace of the third quarter, All Tool took it deep into the Griffin backfield, crushing two goals, one by Katy Hambrook (another veteran of yore) and the other goal was a beautiful double by Matt Corr. But the Shamrock Club had been reawakened and responded in a panic to hold off the Legion onslaught. A whip goal by Josh “Gutsch” Gutschow (2nd of the game) kept the Legion at bay. But with a couple last minute points by Steven “Schmidty” Schmid, the game was tied at the end of the 4th, 3-13 (22) All Tool and 5-7 (22) Shamrock Club.
Extra time started as an enlivened bout with both teams quick to the ball, but ended as a Legion flash in the pan. Shamrock Club had one goal pounded in by Chad Koch (yet another veteran of yore) and some points by the ever-scoring Vinny Malone. All Tool managed a point in the second period of extra time, but the deal was sealed by the end of it. The Shamrock Club Griffins had bested the Legion in a great display of hurling. Final score Legion 3-14 (23) under the Shamrock Club 6-9 (27).