Another rainy, cold Wednesday at the soccer field. Another trying start for the Brooks boys. They carried the play and controlled the ball throughout the first half. St. Sebs had a couple of weak opportunities that Mattie ate up easily. At the other end, Brooks had some opportunities that either went wide, high or right at the keeper. While in the end the St. Sebs keeper was definitely the player of the game, Brooks really didn't have any sharp/hard shots on him in the first half.
Parents, huddled under umbrellas and rain jackets, talked about a continuation of the scoring shortage over the last 3 games. Up to that point it was 3 goals in 2.5 games. Very unlike the high scoring team we expect to see take the field for each match.
The first half ended unceremoniously at 0-0. The rain and wind were picking up as the second half began. More ball control by Brooks. Jory, to Quigs, to Sam, to Bolte. Left to right across the back. Up the side to either Patrick or Seve. Over to the middle to Greg or Mike and then on to Zach. Back to Greg. It was a clinic in passing. Oh yeah, there was an occasional shot. And they were better than any in the first half. St. Sebs then had a golden opportunity as they broke through the Brooks defense; rolling a pass across from the left to a wide open winger in front who just missed the ball and an opportunity to take the lead. At 65 minutes in we were still 0-0. Worry setting in. Was this going to be another one of those games decided by an oops goal?
Jory had quite a few corner kicks in the first half and it continued in the second. Closer to making something happen each time. Finally, off yet another Jory corner, Zach found the ball and directed it into the top corner. Zach's post goal run toward the corner and full body slide into it rivaled that of Captain Nick's when Zach was a freshman. There just wasn't enough water on the field today to create the same hydroplane effect. But, along came the 9 other players sliding into the corner on top of Zach. Sure was fun to watch as some of them skidded and rolled in!
Andrew Bruno came in just prior to that goal. As always, his energy is contagious and he makes the best of the short minutes he gets each game. He is like the energizer bunny on the field. Almost 10 minutes after the first goal, Zach sprung him after receiving the ball from Sam. Bruno took it wide and around the corner defender driving toward the net. He laid a perfect pass across the top of the 6 yard box just as Zach was crashing in. Zach made sure on this one and it was 2-0. A little breathing room. The final 8 or so minutes saw Brooks applying relentless pressure. Patrick making magic plays with the ball all second half on the right sideline, continued playing great passes into Zach and Alex (who came back in for Bruno). Everyone was trying to get Zach that 3rd goal. Unfortunately (or as we on the sidelines saw it) fortunately, the final whistle blew to end the game.
Next up is Rivers on Saturday. Both teams 5-0-1 and tied for first. Both teams have players in the top 3 in scoring. Should be a good one!!
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