Tough outing on a nice day

On about the only nice fall day of the week, half the thirds team headed to Winchendon for a return match with the Wapiti JV team. Unsurprisingly, the field was soggy (though not as bad as ours), and we struggled to get good, controlled touches on the ball. One of several skilled Winchendon players took advantage of a turnover in the defensive third of the field, faked out a defender, and put the hosts up 1-0 barely 5 minutes into the game. As the half wore on, we found more success at opening up the clogging Winchendon defense, and Walker found an opening to play a dangerous ball towards goal. Unfortunately, as it curled away from the keeper, it hit the post and came back to the keeper instead of into the net. In the second half, one of Winchendon's studs took advantage of a big gap between our midfield and defense to start a long and successful run towards goal, putting them up 2-0. That woke up the competitive fires again, and our play looked more inspired. With a couple of good passes strung together, we opened up the defense enough to spring Lars through dangerously. He got hauled down inside the 18, earning a PK. His solid finish brought us back to 2-1 down with about 8 minutes to play. With consistent pressure from here on out, we earned and played in several dangerous corners, but we were unable to beat their goalkeeper a second time.