(November 22, 2009) On a chilly Sunday evening at the WCUSC Turf field, the two top teams in the O-35 division of the West Chester United Men’s League, Over-35 Division faced off for the right to be called champions. Juggernaut Hockessin Soccer Club (HSC), holder of the league’s best record with 8 wins, a draw and only 1 loss in the last game of the season, against the resurgent West Chester Militia (WCM). WC Militia were the winners of the inaugural O-35 championship, but followed that performance up with a disappointing Spring 2009 campaign that found them depleted by injuries and up against three tough new entries into the league, finishing near the bottom of the heap.

With Militia’s only 2 losses this season coming at the hands of Hockessin, revenge was very much on their minds. They knew their defense faced an uphill battle containing the potent Hockessin attack, which averaged 4 goals per game on their way to a plus 27 goal differential over the ten-game season. Player-Coach Bob Schlentz positioned Mike Santangelo, one of the Militia’s speediest players, as a man-marker on the Hockessin attacker most capable of doing damage. Santangelo put in a yeoman’s performance throughout the game, limiting his man to few chances on goal.

Early on, both teams probed the other’s defenses, stringing together some nice passes, but with Hockessin clearly winning the possession battle. The first half ended with only one really dangerous attempt on goal, by WCM’s John Jasper, who manufactured himself an open look at the top of the box. Jasper’s left-footed howitzer went just wide and Hockessin were lucky to end the half at 0-0. Hockessin were realizing that the Militia would not go quietly into the night.

The second half heated up, as the stakes were getting higher. Tempers were flaring and three yellow cards were issued, one to WCM’s Joe Grady for a late tackle, another to WCM’s Paul Costa for dissent, and a third to an HSC player for an ill-advised charge on Militia’s goalkeeper, Robert “Gilly” Gilbert. Very late in the half, HSC seemed to break through for a point blank score after some disorganization along the Militia back line. Militia breathed a sigh of relief as the referee waived off the goal due to a foul by HSC only moments before. Another tightly played half, more chances on goal for both teams, but full time was called with the game still in a scoreless draw.

The two 10-minute overtime periods were played full out, with both teams challenging, but not wanting to make the mistake that could end their championship dreams. Old legs were getting tired, and after 20 minutes the referee blew his whistle, pointed to the center spot, with the game still tied at 0-0. Penalty kicks loomed.

Schlentz picked his five shooters, hanging Militia’s championship chances on Paul Costa, Jamie Miley, Juan Perez, Joe Grady, Mike Santangelo, and of course, goalkeeper Robert Gilbert. HSC’s first shooter coolly slotted the first kick past Gilbert, quickly matched by a game-tying strike by Grady. HSC’s second shooter, according to Gilbert’s post game remarks, seemed to telegraph his approach. Gilly made him pay for that transgression, reacting properly and coming up with his first huge penalty stop. Costa put the Militia ahead 2-1 with a beautifully placed shot. On HSC’s third attempt, Gilbert again frustrated the HSC shooter with an acrobatic dive to his left for his second penalty shot save in as many tries.

Militia could now taste the trophy, as Juan Perez put the Militia up 3-1 by coolly slotting his kick right down the middle, vacated by the guessing-to-his-right HSC goal keeper. HSC staved off elimination by making their fourth shot, closing the gap to 3-2, but with two Militia shooters left. A Militia miss in the next kick seemed to breathe some hope into Hockessin. The fifth HSC shooter placed an unstoppable shot into the upper 90, for a 3-3 tie. The Militia’s hopes now rested on their fifth shooter, Mike Santangelo. Santangelo exorcised his grade-school demons nicely, by hitting an equally-unstoppable penalty, glancing off the right post and into the back of the net for a 4-3 Militia win.

After a short, jubilant Militia celebration, post game hand shakes proved no hard feelings existed between the teams. The Hockessin Soccer Club team showed class, grit, skill and determination. In perhaps a storybook worst-to-first ending, the night belonged to Militia, who garnered their second championship in three tries.