The Minnesota Axmen opened their home schedule on Sunday night against BEEF! United and much like the field conditions, the results were downright dreary for the home squad.
Clad in their home purple and black uniforms, the Axmen rolled onto the field missing quite a few key components, but were determined to do battle none the less. Midfielder Ben Bridell returned for his first action of the season and played with the exuberance of the youngest player on the field. The game also marked the return of defenseman Nick Koenig and the debut of defenseman Brandon Timlin. After his debut for the Ax, Timlin was a trending topic on twitter under #The Man. Unnamed Sources tell us that Timlin himself may have been the main reason that #TheMan was a trending topic as he tweeted the phrase “Brandon #The Man Timlin” over 2,500 times immediately following the game.
As for the game, the Axmen started fast on the sloppy field managing to control the game for the opening 25-30 minutes. Ball movement was crisp and feet were light on the soggy turf as the Axmen attacked the net. Forwards Jason Sorely and Dustin Fuchs along with Midfielders Bridell, Josh Keen, Marco Medina and Charlie Estep were working tirelessly to get the ball into position for countless shots. Unfortunately for the Axmen, shot after shot went high and wide of the Beef United net, setting the stage for a long and frustrating night.
As the first half wore on, Beef United would start to chip away at the Axmen back line with minimal results. The defensive back line of Patrick McLoone, Timlin, Koenig and David Olmschied would hold strong on numerous occasions and catch Beef United offside for most of the first half. However, as substitutions began for the Axmen, the defensive back line began to show some cracks and Beef United was finally able to stay onside long enough to have a chance. Beef United would capitalize on their chances scoring two quick goals before halftime.
At the half, the decision was made by the Axmen squad to begin attacking the net with more venom than ever. The formation was switched from a 4-4-2 to the much more attack oriented 4-3-3. This would prove to be beneficial for the Ax as the scoring chances would become much more frequent. Bridell controlled the midfield beautifully for the Axmen and the forwards attacked the net relentlessly. But much like the first half, the Axmen tracking system was flawed and every shot was high and wide of the goal, frustrating the Axmen players. Beef United would add a 3rd goal in the waning moments of the game to take 3-0 lead and seal the Axmen’s first loss of the year.
At 0-1-1 on the year, the Axmen go in search of their first win next Sunday against the Chaska Chanhassen Freeballers. Kickoff is at 6:30pm in STMA.
Follow the Axmen all season long at www.MNaxmen.com