Second-half Sachem pile driver punishes Aztecs

Sachems and Aztec were relatively level for the first half of Sunday's match at Manchester Field ... a lone 20th-minute goal separating the sides at halftime. But every time Hulk Hogan seemed to struggle against a wrestling minnow, every time he seemed battered and beaten, every time the challenger might become champion, a funny thing happened. Realists knew it was predetermined, believers believed. Terry Bollea gathered his strength, convulsed to raucous applause, a smirk on his face ... as if he had just realized he was Hulk Hogan, and the other guy was not.

During the first 13 minutes of the second half, the Sachems channeled their inner Hulkster, bodyslamming the visiting Aztec side with four goals to make it 5-0. The entire half was one big atomic leg drop, led by the always dangerous tag team of Patrick Foley (3 goals) and Yoav Barkai (1 goal, 2 assists).

As much as the first half wasn't pretty – missed sitters, poor tackling, lack of communication – the second half was conversely attractive. Assistant coach Peter Miller observed that the boys all have complete confidence in their teammates – there is no weak link and everyone is involved in the team's success.

Foley's first-half chip in from the left touchline gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. But it was a tenuous lead and one that would grow coming out of halftime. Foley and Barkai partnered with Ethan Sweeting at striker, with Michael Haley dropping from striker to holding midfielder, giving the home side a solid quartet of firepower to go with Charlie Booth and Spencer Anton on the wings. With the impenetrable back line of Colin Hickey, Philip Woolston and Eric Rolfs in front of keeper Griffin Burkey, it was indeed time for a royal rumble.

In the 34th minute Barkai released Foley, whose clinical finish rippled the side netting. A lovely corner kick combination from Booth and Haley bounced to Foley on the six, his third goal of the day a tight chip over the keeper into the top of the goal in the 36th minute.

Booth earned his second assist three minutes later, his shot deflecting to Barkai, who poked it past the stretched arms of the near-deflated netminder. The penultimate straw was piled on in the 43rd minute, John Driscoll's deep throw-in finding Barkai in the penalty area, the crafty one dancing round his mark to the goal line, sliding the ball to Bennett Parsons in front of the goal for the authoritative finish and a 5-0 lead.

Haley's hard work paid off in the 54th minute, the new man firing a low strike from 20 yards out across the goal, past the keeper and into the left side netting. It was his first goal in the run of play and surely a good sign for the Saints of Sachem.

The back line, along with hardworking holders Charlie Cacciola, Elliott Rippe and Ian Steckel, arm-barred all Aztec attacking ideas; solid defending contribution also coming from wings Anton, Booth, Driscoll and Cole Turissini.

Despite a struggle, a few super suplex moments left no doubt about the status of Sach-e-mania.