There is a bad pattern developing here. Brooks dominates in ball control and time of possession but does not dominate on the scoreboard. Today it had to have been 85% possession for Brooks. Thankfully the score was 3-0 when Milton finally found the net. But for 36 of the first 39 minutes Brooks possessed the ball and controlled the game, but had nothing to show for it. Then just like that, Alex, somehow, off the side of his foot found the top corner. Relief!! Until then, Milton played fairly good defense on their small, bumpy field. When they can pack 7 guys plus the keeper inside the box, it's pretty hard to not hit a leg when trying to get a shot on goal. This was the same strategy Rivers used a few weeks back. In their few minutes of possession Milton was able to get a couple of opportunities and on one Mattie had to make a save. Half ended 1-0 Brooks.
Into the second half, more of the same. Milton getting a bit more chippy and physical. Brooks starting to get frustrated. Zach makes a run and gets taken down right outside the box. The weave play is set up for the free kick. Zach, Greg and Sam. Greg runs from the right over the ball toward the net. Zach runs from the left over the ball to the corner. The defenders and the keeper all watch Zach expecting the pass to him. Sam, see it and fires the ball directly to the net. No one even moved. All the Milton players looking at Zach!! Great weave play!! 2-0 Brooks!!
A sort of ok, let's get this over with feeling came over all the parents while Brooks continued to carry the play. Jory then took a corner kick that was far to long due to the field size but Sam was way off the back post and headed it to the net. The keeper grabbed it just before it went in, but didn't hold it. Somehow he bounced it off Zach's head, into the net and it was 3-0! Lots of laughs coming back to center after that one. Play resumed and a few minutes later, Brooks ended up with a PK off another great effort by Zach. He drove to the box, the ball bounced up off a divot and the defender was called for a handball. Zach wanted the shot, but Sam stepped up and shot. The keeper made a nice stop. That sure was a surprise!! The final minutes counted down.
Mattie's dad, standing right next to me then put the curse on the team. He no sooner said; "now let's just not let them score", when a Milton player put a laser shot to the top far corner. It was immediately after John made the statement. No more than 5 seconds later. It was a great shot but I looked at John and said, "that was your fault"!!! Lisa, Mattie's mom, scolded him as well. "This happens EVERY time you say something like that John!!". It was good for a few minutes of entertainment. Thankfully the final whistle blew. It was time to head into Boston traffic to head back north.
The St. Paul's game is the regular season finale. It is Zach's last regular season game for Brooks. I knew this day was coming, but I am surely not ready for it. While I know there will be at least one more tournament game after tomorrow, it's just a matter of days before this final chapter officially closes...
