Game 4 v Freetown-Lakeville (FL)

Why is it always raining on Sunday Mornings? Again after a hard rain overnight we needed go out and play in the rain. It wasn’t raining as hard as last week, but we were all wet for a second week in a row. I don’t think the boys ever felt a drop on their head this week. They were way too busy playing soccer. Jack went down with a ankle sprain early in the game leaving us with just two subs for the game. It looked like it was going to be a long game.
DR came out in the first half determine to take the game to the FL boys and they sure did, play with loads of energy and keeping FL back on their heals. We were hunkered down on a 3-1-3 with one stopper and no forwards. It gave us a strong defense and the ability to forward with 4 quickly and support with our backs. The first half saw great defense by Michael, Trevor, Kyle and Kevin and transition to the mid field players who pushed the ball forward into the FL zone. The FL goalkeeper was very busy but was up to task. We were pushing forward on every play and with Colton, David and Evan taking shots at the net. There were many beautiful corners dropping right over the FL goalkeepers head but never found the back of the net. The score at the half remained at 0-0.
The second half was much of the same, hard work and determination. Late in the game it paid off when, ironically, one of the only poor corner kicks went off the FL defender back to Benjamin who severed Zack M in front to the net. Without hesitation Zack turned the ball into the back of the net with a drive off his left foot. 1-0. With 5 minutes left the DR boys dug in and played strong defense. FL was pushing everyone forward and Ben E needed to come up with some strong saves to keep his clean sheet. Michael made a beautiful, knock down, sliding tackle on the right side of the field and took any hopes of making a come back away from FL. The FL bench was upset with no call from the referee, but the ref more impressed with the skill of the tackle. Zack M made a gutsy face block on a hard drive towards the net in the waning minutes to seal the victory. We'll work on 'face blocks' at the next practice.
The victory was a total team effort. The defense was awesome, the midfield controlled and organized. The boys sure game the spectators their money’s worth...great effort 1-0