The Gamble paid off with the Competitive I Crown

The night belonged to the Gamblers, who managed to take the championship game by the score of 7-4 in Crescent City Soccer’s top ranked league. The Gamblers didn’t always appear so confident, however, as they struggled to absorb the early-game pressure that the Doodz have so successfully employed all season.  Doodz were in control when Jackson’s goal sailed past Gamblers’ Ryan Dublede in the early-going to make the score 2-0. 
 
But then, an intended through-pass rolled over Gamblers Derek’s outreached leg in front of goal, catching Doodz keeper Walter anticipating the trap.  The deceptive bounce fortunately found the back of the net and simultaneously breathed life into a Gamblers team weathering an early storm from Doodz. 
 
J’s left-footed laser for Doodz made the score 3-1, but it wasn’t enough to bury the increasingly confident Gamblers, who eventually equalized on a fast-break opportunity by Kevin.  Exchanging hay-makers, the teams appeared to have reached a stalemate in the first half. 
 
But the balance proved to be short-lived, because when Gamblers’ Alec intercepted a misguided Doodz pass, this championship turned on its head.  To an innocent bystander, it might have appeared just another knee-high midfield turnover, but not to Alec.  His eyes lit up like a school-boy on Christmas.  Every Doodz player visibly leaned backwards, willing their keeper back to line in time to stop a ridiculous chip that appeared perhaps possible, but completely improbable.  With the inside of his foot, Alec guided the up-and-down floater just over the clouds and underneath the crossbar.  It soared out of reach of not only Doodz keeper Walter, but that of everyone else on the field who dreamt up a wondersave on this inevitable chip.  Gamblers 4, Doodz 3.  This game never looked the same after that moment. 
 
After a halftime score of 5-3, Doodz showed signs of life when Zach blasted a right-footed golazo to the near post.  Gamblers’ stand-in keeper Dublede got the last laugh, though, because when Gunner pressed to even the score just moments later, it was a glorious heave from Dublede that released Gamblers’ Stephen Millett into a one-on-one with the Doodz keeper.  Stephen’s crafty finish expanded the Gamblers’ lead once again to two, and they never looked back while redeeming the championship disappointment from last season. 
 
Congratulations to both teams.  The Tuesday-League is not for the feint of heart, and both the Doodz and Gamblers showed why they deserved to reach this final.  Well played, fellas!  We expect to see both of these sides chasing the cup again 15 weeks from now!