The Middlesex Boys' Varsity Soccer Team traveled to Pomfret on a sunny Saturday, and put in a very strong effort that led to a cruel result in the end. The first half saw the Zebras start slow and show their youth and inexperience over the opening 25 minutes. Just 12 minutes in, a mistake at the center of the park by the defense led to space behind the backline, and a direct counterattack for Pomfret's first goal. Middlesex leveled the score in the 28 minute when freshman attacker Jacob Charles fizzed a first-time ball into the second-six for Matt Rhinelander '16 to crash home with his first touch. Just seven minutes later a long, and direct service from Pomfret led to a free header across the face of goal, but keeper Kenyon Pelletier '19 produced the best save of the day to preserve the 1-1 score line at the interim.

In the second half, Middlesex controlled the midfield through some excellent interplay between Jivan Purutyan '16 and Liam Sloan '17. The ball spent the bulk of the time in the Pomfret half in the second half, with the exception of their direct long balls to their tricky right-winger. One of these balls was poorly cleared by the Middlesex defense and bounced into the arm of an unaware defender, as the official blew for a direct free kick 22 yards from goal. Pomfret's tricky right-winger took their chance well and buried the set piece with 15 minutes remaining for the 2-1 lead.  Center-backs Caleb Michalak '16 and Gavin Garrity-Rokous '17 were rock solid for 90 minutes and the Middlesex squad really deserved better; though the effort was fantastic despite begin physically outmuscled by Pomfret's mix of 4 juniors and 7 seniors and post-grads.

It was a performance to be proud of for Middlesex and they will look to get in the win column at home next Thursday against Concord Academy.