The Big Red hosted the Brooks school for their home opener on Wednesday on the pristine fall afternoon. Brooks has had success in the ISL in the past and they looked to be a quality side and a good challenge for the young SPS squad. The game lived up to the billing as both sides played smart, disciplined soccer to begin the contest. Brooks moved the ball well, and the SPS defense matched them allowing few quality chances on frame. Excellent communications from keeper
Leo Colinet and aggressive play by backs
Blake Truchon, Pat Ricca, AJ Zoltowski and
Nikita Duncan stifled the numerous through balls Brooks looked to play. Midway through the half SPS created some pressure of their own. A
Matthew Jean Baptiste free kick from the top of the box required a brilliant save by the Brooks keeper. A pair of corner kicks followed that saw the Big Red create several more chances that they could not quite finish. The half would end 0 – 0.
The second half saw the Big Red come out strong and begin to keep the ball with more confidence. Pressure from Baptiste,
Henry Wilson and Will Iler created several dangerous chances. Brooks too played with composure and forced Colinet to make several quality stops. Brooks took advantage of a defensive miscue with 24 minutes to play and with quick transition and combination play they grabbed the 1 – nil lead. Despite SPS playing with great urgency over the final ten minutes they could not equalize. The work rate was excellent for the second game in a row and SPS is moving in the right direction. Congratulations to Brooks for a well-played game.
The Big Red returns to Hunt field on Saturday as they host a talented side from western Massachusetts, the Berkshire Bears. Looking forward to continued growth and hard work from the SPS squad.
