PUT EM' IN THE COFFIN!!!

 Hoffman Estates, Illinois 





      The Cleveland Crunch have been on a mission this season. With arguably the toughest schedule in MASL 2 this year the Crunch have definitely faced test after test and have weathered the storm. Don't believe us? Let's put it into perspective. Upon their return in 2021 the Crunch won the M2 championship in the first year back. A feat that isn't done often in any sport. Not only that, the Crunch have taken this year's schedule and battled with even more physicality and determination than last year.


This season is no different as they traveled to Chicago to play the Mustangs in a weekend series. This was the rematch as the Crunch swept Chicago in the first weekend series at home at the Soccerplex in North Olmstead. As always this particular rivalry is the best in M2. Saturday night saw both Admir Suljevic and the "Silent Assassin" Mike Derezic score 5 goals each as the Crunch would go on to take Saturday's game 10-6. Both Derezic and Suljevic would share "Men of the Match" honors.



Sunday however, was nothing short of exciting. As stated earlier, this is the best rivalry in all of M2, and with Sunday's game it only added to that statement. Once again there were so many cards issued that you would have thought the game would get called early, but the refs let the boys play and it turned out to be a good thing they did. the Crunch would take a 4-0 lead in the first but the Mustangs would battle back and close the gap at 4-2. Picking up where they left off Admir Suljevic and Mike Derezic would score 2 goals each followed by Kevin "all good" Blackwood and "Sir CC" Chris Cvecko to give the Crunch a 6-4 lead at half time.


The Mustangs would keep battling back with the Crunch leading 6-4 in the second half, but Mike Derezic, Benny Hryszko, "Flyin" Ryan Minick. and Kurt Raney would score the last 4 goals to close out the game at 10-6. Yes, there was some chippiness between both teams and there were a lot of hard fouls and the Mustangs would score 2 more goals, but the Crunch kept cool heads and closed out the game and came back home with a 10-6 victory and a 9-0 record which is as of this writing the best record in M2 this season.



Since renewing this Cleveland/ Chicago rivalry last season the Crunch lead the all-time series 6-1 after sweeping the second weekend series. This was also the first two wins ever in Chicago since their return( both wins for the Crunch came at home and in the Great Lakes Tournament in Muskegon last season). We also spoke with Crunch head coach Lou Kastelic and he was more than overjoyed with his teams performance.


  " We accomplished exactly what we went there to do. I was very proud of the guys. Not only did we win our first game ever in Chicago, but we took two. Mikey and Admir carried us in game one, which I believe is the most Pivotal of the two to get. In game two, everyone did their part to grind out a win. I though the weekend was a coming out party of sorts for Aidan Bozak. He played very well and helped stabilize our second line which was missing Sammy Mutemwa. We look forward to our next game in Muskegon. We were Not happy with the way we closed out our last game against them at home, so i believe our guys will have a little pep in their step on March 5th."


As coach Kastelic stated, the Crunch have the weekend off, but will travel to Muskegon to play the Risers on March 5th. The Crunch are 3-0 against the Risers this season winning one game in Muskegon and two games at home. This will be the fourth and final game this season between the Crunch and Risers and the Crunch will be looking to redeem their performance back on February 12th when the Crunch won 11-9.


The Crunch will come into the game with the Risers with the leagues most efficient offense with a 10.6 goal average and a +49 goal differential. Which means the Crunch will attack and attack until they score and the Crunch have been very comfortable scoring against the Risers as they average 9 goals a game in two combined seasons. Expect the Crunch to close out the season series against the Risers. The Risers are in second place but are 4-1 at home. That lone loss coming at  the Crunch at the Beginning of the season. Don't expect the Risers to lay down as they are still fighting for a playoff spot, but if the Crunch win March 5th the division will be all wrapped up.



~IT'S CRUNCH TIME!!~

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