All Tied Up

Groton and Middlesex are close enough geographically; it’s uncomfortable to be so close in the standings as the season hits the midway point. The game started well enough, with Groton dominating possession for the first eight minutes or so. On one of their first forays across midfield, however, Middlesex earned a direct. A wonderful ball into the Groton box found  Middlesex’s Brian Powers all alone, and he headed the ball authoritatively in. Play went back and forth after that, with Groton missing an easy sitter. Finally, Jason Cahoon flicked on a ball to Jared Belsky who was opportunistic by the far post. The second half saw more pressure from Middlesex, though they weren’t able to break down Groton’s back four in the final third. Freshman Alec Reiss continues to turn in one impressive 90 minute game after another, and senior Ross Coneybeer has been glue to hold the group together. Unfortunately, in the 57^th minute Groton gave away a free kick just 22 yards out, and while Peter White stopped Sean Pensavalle’s blast, the rebound went to Teddy Rausch who put Middlesex up. While it was a perfectly beautiful day, it wasn’t looking that way for Groton, and the long weekend took on a rather grim aspect. With just two minutes left, Groton earned a direct of their own, just outside the eighteen. Chris Higginson stepped up and then…well, time slowed down in strange way, and then the screaming voice inside my head was so loud that it induced a catatonic state. I do recall Chris striking the ball powerfully, a blur of disembodied arms and legs, the ball deflecting off someone or something and into the net. It was a wonderful effort to save a point, but with our third tie of the season, we grumble and look off into the distance, wishing it had been more.