Midfielder Riley Fitzsimmons dribbles the ball up the field. (Photos by Julie Deng)
The Bromfield boys varsity soccer team faced Lunenburg on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and Tahanto on Saturday, Sept 24. Both times they finished victors, by a score of 2–0 in the first match and 9–1 in the second.
In the Wednesday game, Bromfield players were awarded three penalty kicks in the first five minutes alone, foreshadowing what proved to be a game played aggressively by both Trojans and Blue Knights. Shoving and tripping were common occurences, as was the yanking of jerseys.
In the first half, the Bromfield team played a strong game.The ball rarely made it past the solid Trojan defense, while the offense came close to scoring many times. Players fearlessly headed high, racing balls to their feet, or toward the goal. They used their chests, thighs, and knees to control the ball as well. Senior Colin Grant volleyed the ball down the field off others’ hits on numerous occasions. It was senior Ranier Yano who finally made the first successful shot of the game at the end of the first half.
The second half-hour of the game yielded precise passing plays from the Trojans. Bromfield players would send the ball up the side of the field and then execute a series of tight passes, or “give and goes,” inside their opponent’s inner circle. Junior Jack Armstrong scored the one other goal of the game, sending a rolling ball past the goalie’s reach to put the Trojans up by two. Throughout the entire game, Bromfield played a strong game of teamwork and communication.
Bromfield moved on to face Tahanto on Saturday, Sept 24, and it was Bromfield all the way. The wins left the boys in first place in the Midland-Wachusett League’s Division D.
The Trojans’ next game was scheduled to be played Sept. 28 at Clinton High School.
Holding midfielder Cole Stecyk gets off a quick pass to his teammate.
Julia Deng is a Bromfield sophomore.
