by John Osborn ·
Friday, October 4, 2024
It took awhile, but after a slow start the Bromfield boys shut out the Tahanto Stags 8-0 at home Oct. 1 in a one-sided victory against the weakest team in the Midland-Wachusett C League.
Co-captain Vasilis Psathas holds off an opponent. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Tuesday’s victory followed a 4-2 win last Saturday against the Division 1 Algonquin Titans in an away game that advanced Bromfield to the top of this week’s Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association power ranking of Division 5 teams.
Tomas Woelper scored the first goal 10 minutes into the game on a pass from the right by forward Theo Myles. It took another 13 minutes to score the second, this one by Liam Glew with an assist by Tal Raines. Glew’s goal was followed by a third in the final minute of the half, again by Woelper, on an assist by Thomas Sintros.
“We were trying to do too much in the first half, playing too many passes against a much weaker team,” co-captain Conor Glew said. “The team figured out how to simplify its attacks, watch for openings, and do only what was necessary.” The team’s second half “was really good,” he said.
Co-captain Liam Glew (#11) gets a shot on the goal for a score as Theo Myles (#9) looks on.
There is still room for improvement, coach Alex Horne has told his players. The offense was called offside seven times in Tuesday’s game. It took 31 shots to score the team’s eight goals, a conversion rate Horne said was good but could be improved. After Tuesday’s game, he warned against complacency. “Complacency kills,” he said.
In addition to the two goals by Woelper in the first half, Liam Glew scored twice, once in the first half and once in the second. Six additional players added to the final tally: Lucas Bala on an assist by Conor Glew; Ethan Russo, who headed a free kick into the net; Gregory Urquhart on an assist by Josh Pelak; and Vasilis Psathas, who scored unassisted. Trojan goalie Max Barrague was rarely challenged, while Tahanto’s goalie was credited with 10 saves.
The Trojans were scheduled to play Littleton on Friday, Oct. 4, a Division 4 team that Bromfield beat 3-1 earlier in the season.
Is the team ready for the playoffs? “Nah,” said veteran assistant coach Tom Hill after Tuesday’s game. Next week’s contests against Tyngsborough and Maynard will put that assessment to the test.