Cooper League kicks off in the sunshine

After a chilly morning start, the Cooper league kicked off its games in 
bright sunshine and warm temperatures.  

Merivale, last years city champions were up against Glebe, last years top 
team in the regular season. Merivale assistant coach Reg Plummer, fresh 
off his hall of fame induction gushing about Merivale, had the team fired 
up for tough game.  But Glebe was ready with a core of club players 
pressuring a rusty, but enthusiastic Merivale team. An early goal by Glebe 
in the 1rst quarter by Girgis was followed with a pretty tap in from a 
centering pass in the second quarter.  Merivale continued to improve but 
when it was over it was a 4-0 Glebe win.

The second game of the afternoon had Merivale against the Free Agents.  
The Free Agents consists of individuals not on a team and some others 
from Plummer league.  At US college tournaments for junior clubs "Free 
Agents" are typically a team of juniors looking to get recruited and they 
are a force to be reckoned with.  

The Free Agents started quickly and jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first 
quarter.  They had several nice scoring opportunities with good passing in 
then D.  The second and third quarters Merivale started to look more like 
the team with experience from 2 trips in the last 3 years to OFSSA. The 
teams traded goals and it was 2-1 going into the final quarter.  A fresher 
Free agents squad was able to push on a now tired Merivale for a 3-1 
final.