Cameron Road avoids the opening day jinx and scratches out a 0-0 draw against Achtung

If you’re a student of history, you know that Cameron Road United has not started out the regular season well in recent years. After losing their last 3 opening day games, Cameron Road earned a scrappy point in their first D3 game in 5 years this morning. Like the sputtering Longhorns, whose offense hasn’t quite caught up to the rest of the team, the Honey Badgers relied on a solid defense to carry them to the opening day draw against Achtung FC – last season’s fourth place team (who missed out on 2nd place by only 4 points). If this game was any indication of the level of play in D3, Cameron Road should find much more solid footing the season.

Cameron Road installed their Tower of Power at central defense, with Dan and Cuyler setting up shop and daring anyone to even look at them funny. With Billy and Crosley on the flanks, the back 4 was called into action early and often as CRU’s offense and crisp passing was not up to mid-season form yet. There were a few bright spots and cracks at goal, but for the most part Cameron Road had to be content with sucking up Achtung’s pressure and trying to corral their surging central midfield. Too often Cameron Road gave the ball away early before building an attack, but luckily the back line was already in the mood to defend.

As Dan was busy heading away countless balls from danger, Cuyler filled in the cracks, clearing ball after ball and allowing Billy and Crosley to advance the game down the wings. Cameron Road also welcomed UT student Barnaby into the fray, playing his first competitive game in 18 months at central midfield. He will quickly learn that he has stepped into the Onion Creek hornet’s nest, but if today was any indication, he’s up for the challenge of being a “student-athlete” on the 40-acres…. and not drinking all our beer after the games.

With Jay making a fantastic diving save to close out the half, Cameron Road settled down and enjoyed some better offensive play to start the 2nd. As the half wore on, CRU was able to put together some shots on goal, with Ciro and Andy taking aim at the lead. There were still holes in midfield where Achtung were able to exploit the space, but the game had a much more even flow to it as the half progressed.

The play of the game came as Danimal burst down the right side of the field, hockey checking one player, manhandling the next with a Reggie White club move, and then rounding it out with a slide tackle as he refused to give up on his attack. His fiery attitude and competitive nature bubbled to the surface as he tried to lead by example.

With the clock winding down, the young Barnaby forgot all about his physics homework and danced inside the box on the left hand side where he was upended. Instead of awarding a p/k, the ref deemed it worthy of a free kick outside the box. A good chance but CRU couldn’t convert and the game eventually ended at zeros. Not the thrilling game that the summer season spectators were treated to on a regular basis, but a well earned point for a Cameron Road team that had struggled to start the season well in the past.

Next up is a hot-sauce special with Torchy’s at 4:00pm.

Man-of-the-Match: The Danimal was everywhere today, heading away any ball that came close to his cave, making surging forward runs, and firing up everyone with his never-say-die attitude. It was good to have him back on the pitch after a summer layoff.

Man-of-the-Pre-Match: Sporting long, grey flowing locks, Chris Vestre returned to the pitch after a summer of home construction. In his eagerness to get on the field on time, he showed up in his jersey… his red jersey. Being a southsider, Vestre quickly jetted home to swap jerseys and get back in the game.