A Landscape Without Gravity

Ted Goodrich
Groton responded to Thursday’s disappointing performance with an outstanding effort that did everything but win the game. Defying all laws of nature and physics, Groton missed so many chances to score that I can’t even list them. Suffice to say, if I were betting on the outcome of at least eight moments—breakaways, open nets, close range headers, etc.—I would have said, “No doubt, that’s going to be a goal!” In fact, my mind kept howling this at me throughout the game, and then my eyes would hiss something startlingly different. Tremendous credit must go to Rivers’ goalie Michael Webber, who had several topnotch saves, but just as often, Groton simply didn’t finish an opportunity. Those who know the game well, know that this happens. Many of the Groton players had outstanding games today, but special notice goes to Fourth Former Alex Brown, who started on defense today for an injured Nick Steinert and helped shut down a potent Rivers’ attack for 90 minutes. “So how did Rivers score?” the lippy kid in the back row calls out. In the 93rd minute, after Alex was subbed out because he needed a new body, Rivers had a counter attack that they did finish. This was a heartbreaking loss, but the team has every reason to be proud, and even the Rivers coaches—extremely gracious in victory—were quick to heap high praise on Groton’s play.
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