Thursday, October 11, 2012
Andover Townsman - 12/10/09
Andover boys help propel Brooks soccer to semifinals
Four Andover teens were instrumental in Brooks School's boys varsity soccer team's successful season (11-7-1) that ended in the semi-finals of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council's Class B Tournament, according to the school.
The goal was kept primarily by Andover junior Glen Martin, with sophomore Cam Johst serving as Martin's backup. Two Zachs played the field spectacularly throughout the season, according to the school: junior Zach Allen on defense and freshman Zach Vieira as striker.
The team won its home opener 2-1 against a strong Phillips Academy Andover, Vieira finding the back of the net within the first 10 minutes of play. The freshman scored his second goal of the season in a heartbreaking 3-4 loss against the Roxbury Latin School, and again during the team's 3-1 victory against St. Sebastian's School. In near hurricane conditions, Vieira scored the final goal inside the far post during Brooks' 3-0 win against Lawrence Academy.
"Martin protected Brooks' home goal outstandingly throughout the season. Of note, he made three spectacular saves in heavy winds during Brooks' 1-0 win against Thayer Academy. He also made two crucial saves blocking both a penalty shot and the point-blank rebound during the team's best match of the season against St. Sebastian's School. Martin performed spectacularly during Brooks' amazing upset against Wilbraham and Monson Academy in the quarter-finals of the NEPSAC Class B Tournament," said a school release.
Seeded No. 7, Brooks beat the undefeated, No. 2 seed 7-6 in a highly-charged and well-played match on the opponent's home turf. Martin acrobatically saved three goals during the game. The teams tied up regulation play 1-1, resulting in overtime and eventually sudden death in the seventh round."Both teams had hit five of six," Coach Dusty Richard recapped. "WMA's seventh shooter hit low to the right post. Martin dove, fully stretched, to trap the ball on the goal line. The referee hesitated and then declared no goal. It was left to reserve goalkeeper Cam Johst, who calmly walked to the spot and buried a low drive, to ignite a tremendous celebration."
Brooks' season ended a day and a match short of its dreams, losing 1-2 to Kimball Union Academy in the tournament's semi-finals. However, all four Andover boys will be back next season hoping to capture first place in the tournament finals.
Four Andover teens were instrumental in Brooks School's boys varsity soccer team's successful season (11-7-1) that ended in the semi-finals of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council's Class B Tournament, according to the school.
The goal was kept primarily by Andover junior Glen Martin, with sophomore Cam Johst serving as Martin's backup. Two Zachs played the field spectacularly throughout the season, according to the school: junior Zach Allen on defense and freshman Zach Vieira as striker.
The team won its home opener 2-1 against a strong Phillips Academy Andover, Vieira finding the back of the net within the first 10 minutes of play. The freshman scored his second goal of the season in a heartbreaking 3-4 loss against the Roxbury Latin School, and again during the team's 3-1 victory against St. Sebastian's School. In near hurricane conditions, Vieira scored the final goal inside the far post during Brooks' 3-0 win against Lawrence Academy.
"Martin protected Brooks' home goal outstandingly throughout the season. Of note, he made three spectacular saves in heavy winds during Brooks' 1-0 win against Thayer Academy. He also made two crucial saves blocking both a penalty shot and the point-blank rebound during the team's best match of the season against St. Sebastian's School. Martin performed spectacularly during Brooks' amazing upset against Wilbraham and Monson Academy in the quarter-finals of the NEPSAC Class B Tournament," said a school release.
Seeded No. 7, Brooks beat the undefeated, No. 2 seed 7-6 in a highly-charged and well-played match on the opponent's home turf. Martin acrobatically saved three goals during the game. The teams tied up regulation play 1-1, resulting in overtime and eventually sudden death in the seventh round."Both teams had hit five of six," Coach Dusty Richard recapped. "WMA's seventh shooter hit low to the right post. Martin dove, fully stretched, to trap the ball on the goal line. The referee hesitated and then declared no goal. It was left to reserve goalkeeper Cam Johst, who calmly walked to the spot and buried a low drive, to ignite a tremendous celebration."
Brooks' season ended a day and a match short of its dreams, losing 1-2 to Kimball Union Academy in the tournament's semi-finals. However, all four Andover boys will be back next season hoping to capture first place in the tournament finals.
Lawrence Eagle Tribune Article - 11/22/09
Brooks rallies, but comes up short
Brooks allowed a goal just 23 seconds into regulation, and was never able to recover, falling to Kimball Union 2-1 in the New England Prep Class B semifinals.
"We were very aggressive and played most of the game in their zone," said coach Dusty Richard. "But we just couldn't finish."
After falling behind 2-0, Alex Vozzela scored for Brooks, off an assist from Andrew Burbank-Crump.
Brooks allowed a goal just 23 seconds into regulation, and was never able to recover, falling to Kimball Union 2-1 in the New England Prep Class B semifinals.
"We were very aggressive and played most of the game in their zone," said coach Dusty Richard. "But we just couldn't finish."
After falling behind 2-0, Alex Vozzela scored for Brooks, off an assist from Andrew Burbank-Crump.
11/21/09 - Brooks 1 - Kimball Union Academy 2 - Dads Game Review
Well, unfortunately the ride is over. It was a great ride though. So much promise in preseason camp. A slower than expected start to the season. A mid season sputter. A couple of must have wins. A post season NE Tournament berth. An unbelievable quarter final win. A heartbreaking semi final loss. There may have been the slightest bit of over confidence from Brooks. The had handled KUA twice already this season. But August prep camp and a pre season scrimmage aren't really good measuring sticks. Zach felt they were ready. KUA had added 2 very good players since the last meeting. A player from Madrid and one from Zimbabwe. Both had visa issues last time.
KUA had a plan and started fast. Putting their Uganda and Zimbabwe players up top after having won first posession. The first play was a set play. Long ball over the top, Brooks didn't play the bounce. The 2 strikers were fast to the ball, hesitation between the Brooks defender and the keeper, 1-0 KUA with 23 ticks off the clock. WOW!! KUA then steals the ball from Brooks and tries the very same play again. It almost worked a second time in the first minute. Lots of yelling between Glen and the back line. Things settled down at that point. Brooks controlled the rest of the half, but could not find the net. The turf had the ball rolling a lot faster than normal for Brooks. Many balls rolled into the keeper a step or two away from Nick or Zach.
Ok, halftime. Only 1-0. Dusty sits Zach for the first 15 mintues. Probably wanting him chomping to get back in. In that first 15 minutes more of the same. Brooks pressure, not much for shots. Zach re-enters and plays like TAZ. Unfortunately, the KUA team was turning the tide and having some of their own opportunities. Things went back and forth for the next 20 minutes. With a little over 7 minutes remaining, KUA struck again. Brooks boys are down. But there is still time. A corner by Andres finds Alex on the far side and it's 2-1. Three more corners in the next 2 minutes had Brooks inches away from a tie. But it never happened. The final whistle sounded with Brooks pressing the KUA end. End of game, end of season. Tears all over the field. After the handshakes, the long walk across the field had all the boys still in tears, hugging each other. Zach walked over to me and just rested his head on my shoulder, tears still falling from his eyes. I gave him a big hug told him I was so very proud of him and he was on to mom for more hugs. A similar scene for all of the boys.
Later, when I picked up Zach at campus he told me, "they had us scouted extremely well. Shut down the stikers and the left midfielder". Two guys on Nick, one dogging Zach everywhere he went and 2 on Jon on the left preventing the huge crosses from finding their way. Give KUA credit. They played well. Wish them luck in the championship game today. Zach kept talking about the 2 boys from Africa. One was from the Zimbabwe national team, the other from Uganda's national team. He'll see at least one of them again as he is only a sophomore, the other, thankfully is a senior.
KUA had a plan and started fast. Putting their Uganda and Zimbabwe players up top after having won first posession. The first play was a set play. Long ball over the top, Brooks didn't play the bounce. The 2 strikers were fast to the ball, hesitation between the Brooks defender and the keeper, 1-0 KUA with 23 ticks off the clock. WOW!! KUA then steals the ball from Brooks and tries the very same play again. It almost worked a second time in the first minute. Lots of yelling between Glen and the back line. Things settled down at that point. Brooks controlled the rest of the half, but could not find the net. The turf had the ball rolling a lot faster than normal for Brooks. Many balls rolled into the keeper a step or two away from Nick or Zach.
Ok, halftime. Only 1-0. Dusty sits Zach for the first 15 mintues. Probably wanting him chomping to get back in. In that first 15 minutes more of the same. Brooks pressure, not much for shots. Zach re-enters and plays like TAZ. Unfortunately, the KUA team was turning the tide and having some of their own opportunities. Things went back and forth for the next 20 minutes. With a little over 7 minutes remaining, KUA struck again. Brooks boys are down. But there is still time. A corner by Andres finds Alex on the far side and it's 2-1. Three more corners in the next 2 minutes had Brooks inches away from a tie. But it never happened. The final whistle sounded with Brooks pressing the KUA end. End of game, end of season. Tears all over the field. After the handshakes, the long walk across the field had all the boys still in tears, hugging each other. Zach walked over to me and just rested his head on my shoulder, tears still falling from his eyes. I gave him a big hug told him I was so very proud of him and he was on to mom for more hugs. A similar scene for all of the boys.
Later, when I picked up Zach at campus he told me, "they had us scouted extremely well. Shut down the stikers and the left midfielder". Two guys on Nick, one dogging Zach everywhere he went and 2 on Jon on the left preventing the huge crosses from finding their way. Give KUA credit. They played well. Wish them luck in the championship game today. Zach kept talking about the 2 boys from Africa. One was from the Zimbabwe national team, the other from Uganda's national team. He'll see at least one of them again as he is only a sophomore, the other, thankfully is a senior.
11/21/09 - Brooks 1 - Kimball Union Academy 2 - Official Game Review
Brooks' season ended a day and a match short of its dreams as the team suffered a heartbreaking defeat on the road to a very fine KUA side. The home team stunned the visitors with a goal in the first 30 seconds as star Pascal Mensah got to a very high bounce off the turf to head home past the onrushing Martin. Brooks recovered to take control of the match with spirited possession play throughout and lots of strong attacking for the next 80 minutes. But a final ball was not to be found and a tactical substitution of a third striker left the back wide open for counter.
KUA netted their second on just such a foray in the 84th minute. Brooks, however, countered with their own through a fine strike from Alex Vozzella. The final five minutes found Brooks with three more golden chances to draw even but it was not to be. The boys played with extraordinary heart and for all, particularly the five seniors, it was a difficult end to a wonderful season. Congratulations go to all four of the ISL teams in tournament play. The league was clearly well represented.
KUA netted their second on just such a foray in the 84th minute. Brooks, however, countered with their own through a fine strike from Alex Vozzella. The final five minutes found Brooks with three more golden chances to draw even but it was not to be. The boys played with extraordinary heart and for all, particularly the five seniors, it was a difficult end to a wonderful season. Congratulations go to all four of the ISL teams in tournament play. The league was clearly well represented.
Lawrence Eagle Tribune Article - 11/19/09
Brooks stuns Wilbraham
Seventh-seed Brooks pulled a stunning upset of the undefeated Wilbraham, 2-1, in penalty kicks. Having only allowed seven goals all season, the Titans defense appeared everything it was cracked up to be with rangy central defenders.
In penalty kicks, reserve goaltender Cam Johst was spectacular, making numerous point-blank saves. Brooks will play Kimball Union on Saturday.
Seventh-seed Brooks pulled a stunning upset of the undefeated Wilbraham, 2-1, in penalty kicks. Having only allowed seven goals all season, the Titans defense appeared everything it was cracked up to be with rangy central defenders.
In penalty kicks, reserve goaltender Cam Johst was spectacular, making numerous point-blank saves. Brooks will play Kimball Union on Saturday.
11/18/09 - Brooks 1 - Wilbraham Monson 1 - 6/5 PK - Dads Game Review
WOW, Incredible, Unbelievable, what else can you say. It was one of THE MOST exciting soccer games I've ever watched (and I've watched quite a few over the last few years). 7th seed Brooks vs 2nd seed W&M Titans. The Titans had two HUGE central backs who were out to hit the man, before playing the ball every time. For the most part they were able to contain. Brooks came out fast and hard. Nick struck first taking a beautiful feed from Jon and finishing. The next few minutes W&M put immense pressure on Brooks and were able to equalize off another scramble in front that led to a blast from inside the 6 yard box. The rest of this one had ebbs and flows. Brooks would carry the play, then W&M. W&M had better ball control as, at times, Brooks resorted to just boot it away soccer. On the other end Brooks had many chances of their own.
Nick was taken down numerous times from behind without a call and as it always goes, got one called against him for a love tap on a W&M player. The follow up conversation with the ref didn't fare to well for Nick and he received a yellow card. With couple of minutes to go in regulation time, Nick had 2 opportunities that were stopped. Zach then danced through 4 defenders to the top of the box and put the shot over. I think he hurried it a bit more than he needed to and got under the ball (He is a freshman!).
On to overtime. Brooks came out fast again and thought they had the Golden Goal when Zach and Nick combined inside the box with Nick rolling it inches wide. We were ready to jump out of our skin on the sideline. W&M had a couple of opportunities of their own and Glen was there!
Overtime ended, on to PK's. Aiden, Emmerson, Zach, Andres & Jon were selected by Dusty. Brooks won the toss and selected to shoot second. With Emmerson missing and W&A getting their third shot it was 3-1 in favor of W&M. Zach was the third Brooks shooter. OMG, talk about tension. Zach took the ball, set it in place, waited for the whistle and calmly buried it! Mom and Dad screaming in support!!
Glen stopped the next one and Andres tied it up. Jon finished to make it 4-4 after 5 shots. Nick was called on for #6 and evened the score at 5-5. Glen made a great diving goal line save on W&M's 7th shooter. Brooks can win it. Dusty calls upon backup keeper Cam. Parents are scratching their heads on this one. Cam steps up, takes the shot the goalie gets a finger on it, but it hits the twine!! The Green stampeed from the center line begins!
What a win!! On to Kimball Union Academy on Saturday.
Nick was taken down numerous times from behind without a call and as it always goes, got one called against him for a love tap on a W&M player. The follow up conversation with the ref didn't fare to well for Nick and he received a yellow card. With couple of minutes to go in regulation time, Nick had 2 opportunities that were stopped. Zach then danced through 4 defenders to the top of the box and put the shot over. I think he hurried it a bit more than he needed to and got under the ball (He is a freshman!).
On to overtime. Brooks came out fast again and thought they had the Golden Goal when Zach and Nick combined inside the box with Nick rolling it inches wide. We were ready to jump out of our skin on the sideline. W&M had a couple of opportunities of their own and Glen was there!
Overtime ended, on to PK's. Aiden, Emmerson, Zach, Andres & Jon were selected by Dusty. Brooks won the toss and selected to shoot second. With Emmerson missing and W&A getting their third shot it was 3-1 in favor of W&M. Zach was the third Brooks shooter. OMG, talk about tension. Zach took the ball, set it in place, waited for the whistle and calmly buried it! Mom and Dad screaming in support!!
Glen stopped the next one and Andres tied it up. Jon finished to make it 4-4 after 5 shots. Nick was called on for #6 and evened the score at 5-5. Glen made a great diving goal line save on W&M's 7th shooter. Brooks can win it. Dusty calls upon backup keeper Cam. Parents are scratching their heads on this one. Cam steps up, takes the shot the goalie gets a finger on it, but it hits the twine!! The Green stampeed from the center line begins!
What a win!! On to Kimball Union Academy on Saturday.
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