Trailing 3-0 at the half, missing their star keeper Dana Long to a devestating illness, and playing the entire match down a man against a skilled opposition, things looked rocky for Pants United Thursday evening. Many critics of the team, who felt they had played over their heads in recent victories, expected them to fold in the second half against such tremendous odds. But lead by the silent fire of Captain Bruce Kammer, the inspire keeping of Alex Winsberg and the relentless hustle of young rover Joshua Freeman, Pants fought back -- drawing as close as 3-2 before falling in the final minutes 4-2.

Things started off abysmisally: with Long out emergency keeper Alex Winsberg looked tentative early on, misplaying a cross that lead to a goal, and barely averting a few other mishaps. Offensively things were not much better as the team failed to score on an indirect kick from inside the box and several other solid scoring opportunities. After such a first half of misfortune, one could easily understand if Pants had come out flat in the 2nd half.

The reality was just the opposite. As a more aggressive Winsberg, aided by stellar defensive assistance from Sharrow and Milone, turned away repeated assaults upon his goal. The offense, perhaps spurred on by Milone's verbal tirade against the officials and opposition, finally joined suit about 1/2 way into the 2nd half, Freeman (under strict orders from Kammer to press the issue in their offensive half) stole an errant pass from the keeper, raced past a defender and snugly placed the biscuit in the basket -- finding the right corner of the goal for his first career score.

"Honestly, I was just trying not to whiff on the ball.", said Freeman when asked about it afterward, "I've already blown so many opportunities this season that I figured I would just try and strike it solid and hope for the best."

Following Freeman's goal (and his post-goal celebration cartwheel at midfield), Pants began pressing with renewed vigor -- striking for another goal on a blast from R.G. from about 25 yards that totally befuddled the keeper. Drawing Pants to 3-2 with just over 5 minutes to play.

One minute later, Freeman was looking for his second goal after taking a long ball from Milone down the left side. Freeman split two defenders and jostled with a third as he struck a left footed shot which was saved by the keeper. A double no-call, (one ref had felt Freeman was tripped and was going to award a penalty until he was over-ruled; followed by the failure of the officials to see the ball had crossed the end line after the keepers save and should have been a corner instead of a goal kick) went against Pants United, and this would prove to be their undoing.

As the Untouchables scored the game sealer just over a minute later, despite the herculean efforts of Milone, Sharrow and Winsberg who somehow managed to keep a relentless offensive assault off the board for a period of over 20 minutes.

Even though defeated, Pants was not completely upset with the result. "We played some good football today. A couple of breaks, or some decent officiating and I think we would have won the match." Coach/Captain Kammer said in the post game interview, "The boys played well -- if they keep this up, I think we'll be tough to beat in the playoffs."

And so, with one game remaining in the regular season Pants will try to clinch a strong playoff position by winning next week at home, hopefully finishing the season 3-2.