WEEK #7 - vs. Dynamo
Fielding a full side for the first time since early in the season, CPCC pushed the Dynamo to the brink before going down 1-2. 

The Dynamo entered the last match of the regular season with an unblemished record.  Only once during the season had any team managed a goal against this young and speedy team.  That the only "ding" on their shiny new soccer machine had been inflicted by CPCC gave a certain drama to the season finale.

The Dynamo opened the scoring with a nifty goal, then added another on a questionable "no-call" on an off sides. The frustration in the faces of CPCC's players was clear for all to see as they headed to the sidelines for a half time rest.  The feeling all around seemed to be that the officials had called a different match from the one CPCC had just played. Halftime score: Tigers 0 - Dynamo 2.

The Tigers brought a renewed determination to the field for the second half.  At about the 15 minute mark, Coach DeLucca settled a ball 12-15 yards beyond the left side of the penalty box.  Still on the run, and on the third touch, DeLucca sent a hard shot on goal.  At first, it seemed to be sailing harmlessly over the cross bar.  Then, just as it entered the penalty area, began dipping down...down...down.  Suddenly, it was headed for a spot under the crossbar.  With a lightning quick motion, the Dynamo keeper got his hands up and pushed the shot up and over the goal.  The corner kick that followed resulted in another shot on goal, but still without result.  At the 20th minute, CPCC would break through with a goal.  The final 15 minutes were played at a furious pace, with numerous shots on goal by both sides.  CPCC would received several more corner kicks, but could not convert to even the score.  The final whistle signaled an unbeaten season for the Dynamo, and a losing regular season for the Tigers.  Yet all who watched this one somehow felt a rematch, when and if it occurs in the tournament, could produce a surprise of enormous proportions.
Final score: Tigers 1 - Dynamo 2.

WEEK #6 - vs. Charlotte United
The Tiger squad took the field in typical fashion  – short sided but determined. Starting only nine, they nevertheless took control of the match early, repeatedly pushing their offense deep into the Charlotte United half of the field.

Twenty minutes of domination were finally rewarded when Coach Juan Deluca chipped the ball perfectly over the United keeper to put the Tigers on top.  CPCC threatened several more times during the half, though Charlotte United would break through the Tiger defense to get a few shots of their own.  The half would come to an end without either side inflicting further damage. 
Halftime score: Tigers 1 - Charlotte United 0. 

The second half was a continuation of the first. The Tigers controlled the ball and the flow of the game, which they were able to “shorten” through a series of lengthy possessions.  Though none of the their several shots managed to find the back of the net, the Tigers’ play required Charlotte United defend their own half of the field as the clock wound down on this one for a CPCC win.
Final score: Tigers 1 - Charlotte United 0  

WEEK #5 -  vs. Mambo Kings (Saturday), and Rivals (Sunday)
After Saturday’s embarrassing forfeit to the Mambo Kings, in which only five CPCC players showed up, Sunday’s rematch with the Rivals loomed.  

As Sunday’s kickoff approached, the Tigers side counted only ten, yet the mood was positive.  In the final moments before the match, Coach DeLucca assured his defenders, "Play with your hearts, and your bodies will follow."  In the ensuing 70 minutes, the Tigers would make those words prophetic.  The Tigers played “hungry” from the first minute.  At roughly the 10 minute mark, forward Juan-Carlos took a well placed pass through the middle and scored the first goal of the match.  While important, it did little to satisfy the hungry Tigers. All knew much more was likely to be needed this full sided Rival squad with several subs on the sidelines, clamoring to get in.  

Visibly shaken by this first goal, the Rivals did what they do best and turned on the pressure.   Apparently tired of trying to solve the defensive puzzle posed by CPCC’s defense, the Rivals began resorting to the long ball, forcing the CPCC back four to play harder to protect their goal.  CPCC countered with several passes down the wings of the Rivals defense.  None were able to connect.  Near the 15^th minute, the Rivals leveled the score by converting a long throw-in to a goal.  Lest anyone had forgotten, the Rivals were not a team to cower when down. The deadlock lasted until Juan-Carlos again slipped passed the Rival defense to net his second goal of the match, sending the Rivals to the sideline scratching their wounded heads. The Tigers were clearly invigorated by this new found strength. 

During half-time, another midfielder arrived to bring CPCC to a full side. This would prove to be another weight in the Tigers balance as they took the field. The Rivals came out hard, only to run into an impenetrable Tiger defense. Suddenly, Juan-Carlos received another perfect pass from the midfield to notch a hat-trick, erasing last week’s memories of shots bouncing off poles.  The feasting had begun.  At about the 45^th minute, the Tigers would score when midfielder ___ took a ball deep through the Rival defense and sent home a well executed shot. CPCC 4, Rivals 1.   

The Rivals began to lose their steam and composure as the Tigers now dictated the final chapter of the match. At the 57^th minute, ??? took the ball through the Rival defense and added a goal of his own.  The smiles on the faces of the CPCC players said this was no longer work, but fun.

 The Tigers easily brushed off a second Rivals goal with another of their own.   

Final:  CPCC 6 - Rivals 2 

Player of the Game:  Juan-Carlos  

WEEK #4 - vs. Rivals
In an all too familiar way, CPCC took the field three men short of a full side.  The game began with all a little worried the Rivals would press their numeric advantage early and often.  The Rivals did not disappoint, and launched several early attacks, but the CPCC defense, supported by several mid fielders, held off any prospects of an early goal. In the 11^th minute, a well placed throw-in resulted in the Rivals notching a first goal. Slightly shaken, CPCC aimed at keeping morale high and resumed their defense.  Within minutes, a Rival forward received a pass across the middle and, aided by his hands (apparently unseen by the Referee), put home a second goal.  With this second goal appeared two additional CPCC players. 

Shaken, but with new hope as a ten-player side, CPCC would not allow themselves to crumble.  Within minutes, Juan Carlos slipped past the Rival defense to send a powerful shot toward the Rivals goal.  Only inches away, the shot bounced off the far post.  Clearly, CPCC had found a chink in the Rivals armor and, though no goal was awarded, seemed to draw new strength from the near miss. CPCC took several more shots the remainder of the half, all well handled by the Rival keeper.  Ultimately, the only goal earned the remainder of the half was knocked in with five minutes remaining. It belonged to the Rivals. 

At half time, an eleventh man arrived to complete the Tiger side. Though down, CPCC’s players in no sense considered themselves out.  With renewed vigor, they took the field for the second half. 

Poised and determined, the Tigers immediately took control.  By the fifth minute, the Tigers had already taken multiple shots at the Rival goal.  In the seventh minute, one of CPCC’s late arriving players handled a nicely placed ball and, with some fancy stepping, placed home the Tigers' only goal for the day. Inspired by visions of the “impossible”, CPCC maintained control and attacked repeatedly.  The Rivals, visibly shaken, began to lose their composure and allowed the CPCC front to continue their hammering of the Rivals keeper.  The Rival offense made several runs, but never found the goal or even the goalie for CPCC.  CPCC came close to scoring in the twenty-fifth minute with a hard shot taken by a Tiger forward, only to be denied by last second deflection by the Rivals keeper. Juan-Carlos, there for the rebound, put a little too much on the follow shot, sending it just over the goal. Though not on top in scoring, the Tigers were now controlling the run of play, gaining fresh confidence and satisfaction each additional minute.  For the remainder of the second half, the Tigers held their ground and dominated possession, denying the Rivals another shot on goal. 

Though the match goes into the record book as a 1-3 loss for the Tigers, emotionally it was definitely a win.  The Tigers played fierce defense even when several men down.  With a full squad on hand for the second half, they effectively shut down and disassembled the Rivals.  Playing with the heart and unity, they showed signs of a squad that, when full-sided, can handle any formidable opponent. 
Final score: Tigers 1 - Rivals 3  

Man of the Match:  Jordan Nabb; 70 minutes of downright “wicked” defending.

WEEK #3 - vs. DRINA
In both weekend matches, CPCC faced full-sided opponents with substitutes...not an easy task for any short-handed side.  On Saturday, CPCC scored first, only to wear thin and surrender four unanswered goals.  On Sunday, a scoreless deadlock was finally broken by Drina in the 50th minute.  After a Drina player was sent off for a second yellow in the 53rd minute, CPCC mounted several threats, but the referee's whistle sounded with the only goal belonging to Drina.
Final Score: Tigers 0 - Drina 1

WEEK #2 - vs. CHARLOTTE UNITED
With a reporter from the Spark (the College student newspaper) on hand to begin a story on the team, a full turnout of players keyed an easy victory over the Charlotte United Club.
Final Score: Tigers 8 - Charlotte United 0

WEEK #1 - vs. MAMBO KINGS  
The spring 2004 edition of CPCC Soccer made an early goal stand up for more than 60 minutes, but fresh legs for the Kings finally pushed the game-tying goal into the net in the final minute of play.  Yahya Rokoyak and Tony Huong took turns in the goal, but with a total of ten players, the team's energy was largely spent by the time the Kings sent their last few probes behind the Tiger defense.  The club's committed players have stepped forward.  With a few more just like them to form a full side and to provide substitutes, the Tigers could again become a force in the League.  Stay tuned...
Final score: Tigers 1 - Mambo Kings 1