After a dominant performance by the Middlesex boys' varsity soccer team and a number of squandered chances they surrendered an unusual goal in the 70^th minute to drop a 1-0 result to a plucky and aggressive Brooks squad. 

The first half was scoreless but featured some of the most attractive play from the Middlesex boys, as they linked together many consecutive passes and opened up the midfield to great effect.  The problem on the day was the final ball, as the service too often did not result in an end product.  With 12 corner kicks on the day, there were certainly opportunities to capitalize and junior Logan Hallowell came close in the 13^th minute when his glancing header bounded off the crossbar. Junior Daniel Parnell put an unmarked near post header over the bar and junior Brian Powers had a looping header tipped over the crossbar in the 89^th minute. 

Sophomore Jivan Purutyan had a great scoring chance in the second half as he found himself unmarked in the penalty box and saw his well struck half volley sail just over the crossbar.  The lone goal of the match came on a mishit long ball that fell to a Brooks forward's feet 50 yards from an unprotected goal.  After a settling touch his 50 yard shot sailed and bounced into the back of the unguarded net with 20 minutes left for a most bizarre finish.  Brooks was much more dangerous in the second half with the direct counterattack to their two forwards while Middlesex continued to keep possession and buildup without finding the key to unlock the backline of the Brooks' defense.

The team will hit the road on Wednesday, October 9 as they travel to Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA for a 3:00pm ISL showdown.