Greg Wenger in a game against Parker. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The Bromfield boys soccer team went into this week knowing that the upcoming week would be difficult, with games against Nashoba, Hudson, and Groton. When all was said and done, the Trojans fell to 10–2–2.
Nashoba entered the midweek match against Bromfield with hopes of turning their season around and making a push for the districts. Bromfield, however, had other things in mind, allowing the Chieftains just three shots on goal in a 3–0 shutout. The Trojans opened up the scoring with senior Captain Ben Brown, who took a pass on the left side and cranked a left-footed shot into the top right corner to make it 1–0. Moments later, a Brown throw-in was headed in from short range to make the score 2–0. Sophomore Josh Wright followed up a Greg Wenger shot from close range to round out the scoring for Bromfield.
The Trojans went in to Thursday’s game against Hudson hoping to clinch the league title with a win or a tie. The weather failed to cooperate for both teams, with cool conditions and consistent rain present throughout the game. The Trojans knew they had to contain one of the biggest offensive threats in the league in junior Nick Gontijo, who has been recently averaging roughly two goals a game for the Hawks. Bromfield got on top first when Brian Morgan took a shot that deflected off a Hudson defender and sailed over the goalie to make it 1–0. Cody Osgood managed to make it 2–0 following a beautiful through pass from the defensive end by junior Connor MacKenzie. Hudson was able to regain momentum after a foul outside the box set up a Gontijo kick from 25 yards out. Gontijo bent the ball over the wall and goalkeeper Connor Davy to cut the lead in half. Josh Lyvers rebounded for the Trojans, taking a pass from the left and placing a shot in the corner to make it 3–1 midway through the game.
The second half was highlighted by the Hawks’ determined play. Despite Bromfield controlling most of the possession, Hudson managed to break through numerous times for chances on goal. After back-and-forth chances from both teams, a controversial call 20 minutes into the half gave Gontijo the chance to rifle a penalty kick past Davy to make it 3–2. When the game went to under 10 minutes, a scramble around the Bromfield goal resulted in a short goal by Hudson, to tie the game at 3–3. Although the Trojans controlled the game, they could not find a winning goal as the game came to an unfortunate close.
“Both teams fought hard,” said Lyvers. “It was back and forth all game.”
The final game of the week came against longtime rival Groton-Dunstable. Groton came into the contest the victims of arguably Bromfield’s best game all season two weeks ago, in which the Trojans prevailed 3–0. This game, however, was different. Despite many warnings from Coach Tom Hill about Groton’s stars Mike Hutton and Chris Chenelle, the Crusaders shocked Bromfield with an early goal by Hutton to make it 1–0 just five minutes into the first half. The game was played very tight in the midfield, with Groton allowing the Trojans few chances to make their way up the field. Senior Brian Morgan played exceptionally well, managing to continually push through multiple Groton defenders to create chances. Morgan almost tied the game early in the first half, but his powerful low shot went just wide.
The Trojans tied the game in the second half, though, following a takedown in the penalty area. Morgan confidently stepped up and skillfully placed a shot in the top right corner to give Bromfield momentum. For a moment it looked like the tide would turn in the Trojans’ favor, but the Crusaders netted another goal just minutes later on a low shot to the near post, past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Caleb Frost. The Trojans were granted another penalty kick later in the half, which Morgan took, but missed high. Rarely is one player called upon to take two penalty kicks during a game in such high pressure situations, but Morgan honorably did what no other Bromfield player had the confidence to do.
The Trojans had many other chances to tie the score, between weak side-crosses, set plays, and breakaways, but the Crusaders managed to hold on for a tough 2–1 victory.
