(From our correspondent Michel de la Vallée-noire) Caltech, Pasadena. There was uncertainty in the air on this Sunday, a day begun with the menace of announced rain that could have canceled the first game of the season, and with a required early rise that could have left some Netters in their bed. Yet, there more than enough Netters to field a strong team; the weather stayed cloudy, but did not break into rain. And at the end of the game, the sun was shining as brightly as ever, in the eyes, hearts and souls of the Purple; a deluge had come, but one of goals into Aero's net, leading to the impossible final score of 6-1.

This was the first game of the Winter/Spring season, and the first under Michele's tenure as Captain. Bill passed the baton after being hired by a prestigious team in the Italian "serie A", but he will continue to play and inspire Netters well into the season. And so he did today: in the unusual role of center forward, he scored once and acted as enabler for some wonderfully crafted actions that resulted in four goals during the first half.

But all of the team's forwards were gleaming today: Jason was an incredibly inspired playmaker, Royan was indefatigable, Peter brilliant and rapacious. The midfielders were in complete control of their turf: Rafi played a thousand balls and even stuck two into Aero's net; Jessica arguably played the game of her career, coming close to score; Doug was his usual powerful and dependable self; Hideo showed off his control of the ball and of the game geometries. The fullbacks were sharp and unrelenting: Marc's cues were prompt and his saves indispensable; Mike, Michele and Eyal did an honest, unfaltering job; and as always Liz was everywhere and on every ball (especially on one that she deliciously lobbed into Aero's net).

Netters were dominant throughout the first half, when their brilliant passing and secure control of the ball were just too much for the somewhat timid Aero. The second half saw Aero's indignant, desperate attacks, which did result into one goal; but also opened their defense wide to Netters' counterattacks, resulting into two more PRN goals. All in all, today Netters wrote a glorious page in their history, one that shall be told and retold through the years, with pride and awe.

Webmaster: Michele Vallisneri