Brooks Moves on to Semi Finals

11/16/11 | 2:00 PM | HOME                                                                                            

Suffield Academy                                                                                                  W 1-0

Brooks got back to playing lock solid defense and their hobbled strikers fashioned a beautiful goal in the 37th minute to win this very exciting match in front of a large crowd. Brooks dominated play from the outset, though Suffield was dangerous on the counter. Though Brooks couldn't find a second goal despite numerous great chances, they were quite composed in the back. The goal resulted from some fine combination play between Soko, Elkin and Vieira ending with Vieira's well placed shot into the top corner of the Suffield goal. Suffield threw numbers forward in the final fifteen minutes and had a number of dangerous chances that went by the boards. Brooks moves on to the semifinal at home on Saturday.

Dad's Game Review -

Not surprisingly, Brooks pulled the #3 seed in the post season tournament.  Zach was surprised when I told him, but he's just thinking of the last 3-4 games.  I reminded him that his team had destroyed quite a few teams over the course of the season and it was't until the snowstorm, the power outage and "the injury" that the team had a bit of a mis-step. Keep in mind that the boys had not shaved all season due to the no shaving while winning agreement they made with each other.  For some, you couldn't even tell.  For others (Zach Included), well, they had some hairy faces!!

The game started with Elijah having both knees wrapped up.  With the uniform striped shirts and socks (horizontal stripes), you added wrappings on both knees, I was thinking if you just gave him a big red nose and he could go right off to the circus!!  At least he was back on the field.  The starting lineup was the normal lineup and Brooks had the opening ball.  Zach nudged it forward to Elijah and the game was on.  Immediately, Brooks controlled the ball and applied good pressure on Suffield.  It was already looking like the mid season Brooks team was back.  George and Gregg were solid in the middle, distributing the ball instead of just booting it.  The back line was controlling it as well; swinging it from side to side and not long ball booting.  Brooks had great pressure and ended up with a couple of early corners.  Gregg headed on just wide.  Zach shot one high and wide.  Elijah crossing the ball into the box, but having it only find the keeper's arms.  Within that first 5 minutes I could tell Zach was almost back, but not 100%.  Suffield, had a huge center back who looked more like a football player than a soccer player.  The ball went long down to the offensive left corner and Zach was pursuing fast.  The big guy came across to meet him, and Zach pulled up slightly not wanting to take the hit.  The ball ended up out and going to Brooks, but that showed me that Zach was not 100% yet.  No surprise there.  On the bright side, you could see he was thinking more about things, playing a little more games with the ball on his feet and trying to turn guys inside out instead of just muscling buy.  It was fun to see.

The half continued with Suffield coming over the center line 2-3 times and only on long kicks out of the back.   Multiple flurries by Brooks finally paid off when Elijah had the ball on the end line, and passed into Gregg in the box.  There was a bit of madness in there as the ball bounced from foot to foot.  Off the keeper, back to Gregg.  Zach was yelling for the ball and he found it on his foot.  A side step and then the ball was up in the top corner.  The crowd roared and Zach raised both arms high (surprisingly that left arm went right up) as he sprinted to the corner flag and awaited his teammates!! I'm getting high fives and back slaps from the parents and a lot of "Zach is back!" comments!!!  Talk about a proud moment!  The half finished with driving rain and more Brooks pressure.  More of the same in the second half.  Near misses for Brooks on 2-3 more occasions.  Gregg just drove a header off a corner wide by inches.  Zach took the ball and threaded his way spinning (literally) around/through three defenders who converged on him, fought off the big guy, drove to the net where the goalie made a nice stop.  Another corner for Brooks.  Elijah working magic all over the field as usual.

Around the 8 minute remaining mark, Suffield finally woke up a bit.  They began to pressure and ended up with multiple corners over the next few minutes.  A couple of scrums in the box right in front of Cam had all of us holding our breath.  Each time the defense cleared it out.  The final whistle brought relief to the parents and the boys all celebrated on the field.  The Suffield team just dropped and either buried heads or just stared off.  Always two sides to a playoff game.  Thankfully we were celebrating.  On to the quarter-finals on Saturday at home.

Surprisingly, Nobels lost to the 7th seed so we will not see them in the Semi.  I was hoping we could play them with Zach on the field and show them the 1-0 loss was a fluke.  Zach was happy they lost and Brooks had the Semi-final at home.