matchday one: team takehashi 18 - inter mrc 1

The new season of MRC Intramural Soccer has begun and Inter MRC have successfully extended their unwinning streak into the new season with their single worst defeat.

Without their talismanic midfielder, Andrzej Prasek, and their two great attackers, Brian Whiffen-Peters and Aussie Bruce, captain/manager Brad Simkulet turned to newcomers Taras Netski and Brian Woychuk to pick up the slack. And while they did a fine job up front it was not enough to overcome the powerful goal scoring abilities of Team Takahashi, nor was it enough to beat their talented keeper Yoshi.

Inter MRC had a couple of fine moments, particularly considering they fielded an almost completely rookie side. Only Kelechi Ugobi and Simkulet were back from last season. Jared Maguire, one of Inter MRC's off-season signings, was in net, and new recruits Erika Pearce, Shae, and Giovanna Schipani came in green and gave brave showings.

Unfortunately, Simkulet's lack of a Plan A, let alone a Plan B, left Inter MRC in trouble at the back, and Maguire had little help as Inter bled goal after goal.

A first half strike by Netski helped the long time losers save a little face, but it was hardly enough to make a dent on the powerful and well put together Takehashis.

Erika Pearce suffered a blow to the nose in the first half, as a ball slammed into her face. She bravely returned for the second half, and continued to put in a strong performance all over the pitch. She will return next week, albeit with blackened eyes.

"Hey, we can only get better," said Simkulet during the post game press conference. "We've got some fine talent, especially the tireless Ugobi, and when we've got the whole team together we'll start to close the gap."

Team Takehashi were impressed with Inter MRC's youth program, and spent the pre-game kicking the ball around with Milos and Bronte.

England's best pundit, Andy Gray, had this to say about Inter MRC: "Having a fine youth program is well and good, but what does it do for the present? Nothing. Inter MRC are just lucky there is no relegation, or their drop to the lower division would be inevitable."

Only time will tell.

injury update:Jared Maguire suffered a sprained thumb and a hamstring injury. Ouch!