Groton Shines in Tough Loss

Groton played their best match of the season, executing the game plan expertly and giving an undefeated Middlesex team fits. From the opening kickoff, Groton proved dangerous, as within the first minute a ball played across the box nearly opened the scoring early. Groton absorbed Middlesex’s attack and then moved the ball as well as they have all season to put MX on the back foot. (The game, by the way, was played on MX’s turf field because Groton’s home field was, again, under water.) Yet it was Middlesex who scored, not once but twice in the first half. Middlesex’s talented duo of Kwabena Kwakwa scored in the 34^th minute and then Anyolo Makatiani added a second just five minutes later. Though Groton could have had four of their own, it just wasn’t to be until Chewy Bruni slid a pass through to Max Strong who struck a well-placed left-footed shot that slid under Middlesex’s Kenyon Pelletier’s arm just two minutes before the half ended. A Steve Perchuk lofted shot bounced just wide of the post or all would have been tied before the teams switched over.

 

In the second half, Groton shifted their tactics and put MX under heavy pressure. Henry Hodde, returning for the first time after prolonged injury, filled in on defense, allowing Walker Davey to run rampant in the midfield. Finally, in the 67^th minute we were rewarded when a Steve Perchuk deadball found Bruni near the post, and Chewy flicked the ball over the keeper to tie the game. Groton pressed consistently, with MX countering with speed. It looked like Groton was going to—at the very least—come away with a tie, but then in the last seconds of the game, the world went wrong. Middlesex’s Makatiani got onto a through-ball and after a ricochet between Makatiani and a sliding Jack Pedreschi, the ball caromed into Groton’s net to serve up a heaping portion of disappointment.

 

Nevertheless, and as painful as it was, the Groton boys should be proud about their fine performance.