Everyone knew this would be a tough game today. This isn't the Lawrence of two years ago. The team has improved greatly since then and they play on a smaller field which seems to be challenging for Brooks. Today would play out somewhat as expected. Lawrence carried play for a good portion of the first half. Mattie was immense in the goal. The little man really came up big on a couple of very challenging shots. Brooks had their moments but it was not the controlling, efficient Brooks team we had seen the last two games. They were playing better than the Rivers game, but it just was not clicking. Passes to the top third of the field, from the mids up to the strikers, were continually long. Going harmlessly into the keeper's hands.
On the sidelines the parents tried to encourage the boys as much as we could. We questioned some of the referees calls pretty loudly resulting in a conversation with the linesman at halftime. He was good about it and we had a laugh with him. But on the field before the half Lawrence pressured Brooks pretty heavily. They controlled the ball more and applied more pressure. At the half it was 0-0.
Coming out for the second half we saw some long over the top balls from Brooks. Strikers were making runs but the balls would just be to long and either go to the keeper or end up rolling out of bounds. Frustration was beginning to set in with Zach, Bruno and Alex. All the while Amadu and Aziz, the Lawrence duo, were passing the ball all over the place. Luckily the Brooks defense remained solid. Lawrence was getting numerous corners and free kicks. Off one set play they had a clean shot off the cross bar above Mattie's hands. On another, they hit the post only to see the ball roll across the net and out of play on the other side. Unlucky for sure.
About 20 minutes into the half, Brono made a great individual effort winning the ball near center. He drove to the right taking 2 defenders with him. Down inside the 18 he cut to the near post, spotted Zach a few yards behind him but more towards the net. Andrew laid a nice pass back to Zach who looked, shifted left, another step left and the put the ball cleanly inside the right post. Great effort all around. Bruno made the play and Zach made the finish. The balance of the game was one that kept everyone on the edge. Lawrence pressed harder. Brooks defending well. Brooks having opportunities of their own, but not the same quality of opportunity Lawrence was getting. 15 minutes remain. Everyone watching the clock, encouraging it to move along faster. 10 minutes to go. Brooks has a few more chances, but play still in Lawrence's favor. 5 to go, Brooks knows they need to just possess the ball and eat time. They keep kicking it out. They hold it. They send it to the corner and hold off defenders.
1 minute to go, Zach making a run from his side of the center line but on the right sideline. He's running with 2 defenders chasing him. I'm encouraging him to turn on the burners and beat the guys to the corner. He abruptly pulls up everyone runs by him, he plays the ball back to his right back who eats more time and then sends the ball to the corner. The play was much more impressive to watch than my description. Parents were talking about it after the game. The burst of speed to pull away; the sudden stop to avoid the pursuit and the heads up play back to kill more time. Smart for sure.
The whistle finally blew and Brooks had escaped with a 1-0 win. Lawrence was dejected. They had played better than Brooks today and felt they deserved the win. In a way they did, but I'm much happier with the way it ended. Breathing room between Brooks and Lawrence. Will Rivers lose? NO!! Will Belmont and Roxbury Latin lose?? THEY BOTH DID!! Definitely some room now between second and the rest of the league. Unfortunately there is still one team, Rivers, at the head of the pack. Saturday the race continues!! Rivers has St. Marks (currently tied for 4th and playing very well) and then Lawrence next Wednesday. Brooks has Governors and BB&N coming up. This will be a telling 2 games. Brooks has the easier schedule on paper, but who knows what will happen on the field! Stay tuned!
