Big Red push Berkshire to the wire

The Big Red hosted the Berkshire Bears on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.  From the outset the Bears side swung the ball from side to side and looked to get in behind the SPS defense.  Smart coverage and second defender support by center backs AJ Zoltowski and Pat Ricca prevented quality chances for the Bears.  Asun Zhu and Sebastian Beech were consistent in their marking in the midfield while wing backs Blake Truchon, Iago Arango and Nikita Duncan closed space quickly.  The Bears best chance came on a well placed free kick that looked to labeled for the near corner.  With catlike reflexes, Leo Colinet made a fantastic save look clean and easy.  With just a minute to play in the half a dangerous through ball created a chance for the Bears.  In the ensuing battle for the ball a penalty kick was called.  A clean strike from the spot put Berkshire up 1 – nil and that would be how the half would end.

The second half saw much of the same action.  While Berkshire was able to win the time of possession stat, they rarely had time and comfort while they had ball.  Constant pressure was keeping the Big Red in the match and
quick transitions got them deeper into the final third.  SPS earned three corners in the first fifteen minutes.  In the 65^th minute Will Iller found a little room on the left side and sneakily beat his defender.  His dangerous cross was deflected into the goal by a Berkshire defender to level the game at 1.  The energy was high as was the determination, bit it would Berkshire who would score next.  With twenty minutes to play, a Berkshire corner was headed off the cross bar and then headed away and only partially cleared before a clean volley found the back of the net.  2 – 1 Bears.  As the game wound down keeper Hunter Morton made a super save on the Berkshire striker which also resulted in a second yellow card on one of the visitors.  Playing against 10 men, the Big Red felt their energy rise again but they did not have enough time to find the elusive equalizer.   Final score, 2 – 1 Berkshire.

The SPS side gets back on the road in the week ahead with a pair of games.  On Wednesday, the squad visits the Hilltoppers of Worcester and then they head to the Home of the Hoggers of NMH on Saturday. Great matchups to look forward to!

Go Big Red!!

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#30 Leo Colinet: GK; Junior; 2027

#0 Hunter Morton: GK; Senior; 2026

#4 Blake Truchon: D; Senior; 2026

#6 Asun Zhu: M, F; Senior; 2026

#5 Nikita Duncan: Sophomore; 2028

#8 Sebastian Beech: Junior; 2027

#23 Iago Arango: Junior; 2027

Players Mentioned

#30 Leo Colinet
: Junior; 2027
: GK

#0 Hunter Morton
: Senior; 2026
: GK

#4 Blake Truchon
: Senior; 2026
: D

#6 Asun Zhu
: Senior; 2026
: M, F

#5 Nikita Duncan
: Sophomore; 2028

#8 Sebastian Beech
: Junior; 2027

#23 Iago Arango
: Junior; 2027