FC Berlin's second UWS game was one to remember. The ladies were looking forward to bouncing back from their inaugural game, in which they had lost 0-2 to current champion FC Buffalo; in front of them, there was another team making their debut in this league: Pittsburgh Hotspurs.

Berlin took control of the actions right from the first whistle and quickly got its reward, as #20 Teagan Morrison received a long pass from #40 Celina Barnard, dribbled past several defenders and calmly put the ball far from the reach of the goalkeeper. It was only seven minutes into the game and the home team looked like they were going to have a good day.

Pittsburgh had other plans, though. Just a few minutes later, an inconsequential play by the corner flag derived into a pass for Hotspurs #7 Katelyn Kauffman, who ran alongside the 18 yards mark and then took a long, beautifully curved shot that snuck into the top corner, making Berlin's goalkeeper Claire Wyville's effort futile. Time to start all over again!

Both teams traded chances for the rest of the first half, but the score remained 1-1 at the break. Berlin stroke again right after the second period began; it was Morrison, who at that point was already looking like she was going to be the star of the game. She went on another slalom run, but this time it ended with the Pittsburgh keeper taking her down inside the box: Berlin earned a penalty kick and the GK a yellow card. Morrison took care of business again, and she made no mistakes, putting the score 2-1 with a soft but well-placed shot that deceived goalkeeper Kelly Lemke.

Pittsburgh once again played the role of the party pooper and almost immediately got the equalizer, after #9 Jordin Kowalkowski capitalized on a rebound given by Berlin's keeper Heather Travis. The rest of the half transcurred with the same intensity; both teams constantly attacking, but at the same time making sure they were not to be caught off guard and end up losing that point they already had.

It finally looked like the game was going to be a 2-2 tie, but that was when things took an incredible turn, right after the 88th minute. Pittsburgh was awarded a free kick just outside the 18 yards mark. The long ball landed in the 6 yards and then ended in the back of the net, as a result of an unfortunate defensive play. Berlin found themselves trailing for the first time with just two minutes to go.

Their intense pressure had an instant reward. Simone Timm sent a through ball for Tegan Morrison (who else) to go on yet another run and complete her hat-trick. An incredible performance by Morrison, who should definitely be nominated to the team of the week and is, in this scribe's opinion, a candidate for Player of the Week as well.

But just because we were into the 90th minute, that did not mean these teams were done! The referee added a couple of minutes of extra time, which were enough for both squads to have a couple of really good chances. Travis deflected a ball that once again was headed into the top corner, and Morrison had yet another chance that went just wide, in what would turn out to be the last play of the game.

It was a highly entertaining game that almost made us forget that we were getting soaked and it was kinda cold... Action for Pittsburgh resumes on Saturday, May 28th when they will visit Erie Commodores. Berlin, on the other hand, will be travelling to Pittsburgh to visit the Hotspurs on Friday, June 3rd.