game summaries

Game 1: Gladiators @ Mansfield     To be played

Game 2: Lexington @ Westwood                                            L 0-1
    Despite missing some talent, we played this skilled team tough, and actually had more scori
     While I was happy with the overall effort, I wasn't with the way certain players played their positions. Defenders were often marking incorrectly or not marking at all. Sweepers were not staying between the ball and the goal. I actually saw a Center walking back on defense and up on offense. Centers and midfielders as a group need to transition better. We were lucky to only give up one goal  
    Players of the Game were Happy and Hustle, who both obviously gave it their all.   

Game 3: Gladiators @ Cambridge                                                W 2-1
    This was not as close as it's score, as we played with no subs, and held Cambridge scoreless in the first half when they had a strong wind at their backs. Our offense got its act together, and played a very coordinated game. Our defense, however, was very short-handed, and again played out of position, letting Cambridge get too many breakaways, and possible scoring opportunities. Only the exceptional play of A-Rod at Sweeper, and great goalkeeping by our keepers  kept us in the game. Players of the Game were Gerson who scored our first 2 goals of the season, A-Rod, who played exceptional Sweeper, and Sele, who with 2 monster assists and flawless goalkeeping, had a career day.   

Game 4: Gladiators @ Brookline        Played 5/14                        W 7-2
    Continuing the offensive explosion that started in the second half of our game v. Franklin, the Gladiators showed how prolific a scoring threat they were with 4 different players putting points on the board. Happy and Mantle made guest appearances at Keeper, and did us proud. Players of the Game were Ace who recorded a phenomenal 3 goals and 2 assists, and T-Mac, who left the defense for a few minutes and to score 2 goals for us.

Game 5: Franklin @ Westwood                                                    T 5-5
    This game ranks as one of the biggest comebacks I have ever seen, let alone been a part of. Defensive lapses put us in a 4-0 hole at half-time. During my halftime rant, Paul Asack announced, "We can still win." The team went out there and got its offensive rhythm going. A quick goal was answered by Franklin, but the Gladiators just did not give up: we scored another 4 unanswered goals over the next 25 minutes to clinch the tie, and keep us in the running against unbeaten Franklin for the Trophy. Four different players scored in an unmatched team effort. Our 5th grade team once duplicated this feat in 6v6, but I have never seen a team score 5 comeback goals like that in an 11v11 game. While we had excellent efforts by Enforcer (2 goals) and Sele (2 assists), the Player of the Game has to be Paul (Ace) Asack who galvanized his teammates at halftime and followed up with 1 goal and 2 assists.

Game 6: Mansfield @ Westwood                                            W 8-1
    The scoring barrage continued as 6 different players scored, including Sele, Happy, & Whitey. Sele continued compiling assists, as did Happy with 2 of his own. Mansfield was never really in this one as we compiled a 5-1 halftime lead, and added 3 more in the 2nd half. Hustle & Deputy played cameo roles on defense to help keep Mansfield out of it. Players of the Game are Ace for his second consecutive hat trick, and Happy who contributed 3 points in limited offensive time. Honorable Mention to Deputy & Sconti for their incredible contributions at Center and 'D'.