The Bromfield varsity boys soccer team made a statement this week, shutting out Mystic Valley Regional Charter School 8-0. The victory, on a cold Wednesday night, showcased the Trojans’ improved defense and ability to score goals, raising the team’s spirits as they prepared for a Sunday quarterfinal
The game began slowly, with Bromfield holding possession and feeding balls up the field to junior co-captain, and top scorer Brendan Listzwan. Listzwan was fouled repeatedly—three times in five minutes—earning the Trojans free kicks 30 meters from the net. Ten minutes into the game, the last free kick turned into a penalty after the Mystics weighed Listzwan down inside the box, preventing a tap-in. Listzwan’s clean, top corner penalty shot, the first goal of the night, drew cheers from the stands and bench and opened the floodgates to more scoring opportunities.
With 15 minutes left in the half, Listzwan was at the net again, this time hitting the post, with junior Jake Dwight situated to clean up the rebound and score a second goal.
Conor Glew celebrates his first of two goals in Bromfield's 8-0 sweep of Mystic Valley Chater School, Nov. 8. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Three minutes later, a Mystics defender scored an own goal for Bromfield. In defending a cross from Listzwan in the post, the defender caught the ball on his chest and backed into the goal, increasing Bromfield’s lead to 3-0.
In the last 10 minutes of the first half, senior captain Ryan Donahoe crossed the field, scoring a strong, top left corner goal from 60 meters out. The half ended with Bromfield ahead 4-0.
In the second half, the Trojans came onto the field “energized but not emotional” determined to “win each 50-50 ball,” as their coach had urged.
They scored again at 35 and 21 minutes as Listzwan popped the ball over the goalie and Donhoe crossed it into the net. Sophomore Conor Glew scored the final two goals. By now, Listzwan and other starters had been pulled from the game to eliminate the chance of injury to players needed for upcoming finals.
“Our back row was extremely sound,” said Bromfield coach Alex Horne, referring to the play of senior co-captain Chris Demetros, juniors Lucas Bala and Vasilis Psathas, and freshmen Finn Candon and Jacob Dangel. The Trojans rarely allowed the Mystics any scoring opportunities; of senior goalie Luke Maclean’s saves, only three were directly on goal.
“I think we played some of our best soccer we’ve played all year,” said Donahoe. “This proves we’ve got what it takes.”
Bromfield’s next game is a quarterfinal match against No. 6 seed Tahanto (7-8-1) on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. The game will be played at Ayer Shirley’s Norton Field. A win will advance the team to an MIAA Division 5 semifinal.
