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.