The ISL season opened on Saturday, with Middlesex traveling to St. Mark's for an exciting opening match. Middlesex opened on the front foot, as a five-pass combination led to an uncontested shot from freshman Jacob Charles that was dragged just wide of the post in the very first minute.  In the 25th minute, senior Matt Rhinelander was put in one-on-one with the keeper 20 yards off of his line, but his chipped effort went just beyond the far post.  Two minutes later, some great work by junior Win Sereeyothin down the flank led to a pin-point service that Jacob Charles redirected back across the goal and just wide of the post. In the 30th minute, it was senior Gavin Tasker's turn, as he found space behind the Lions' backline but his back-post shot was well held by the St. Mark's keeper Darren Pike.  Middlesex surrendered their first shot in the 31st minute, as St. Mark's captain hit a direct free kick from 35 yards that was safely handled by freshman keeper Kenyon Pelletier. Junior Liam Sloan had an uncontested shot saved in the 33rd minute, and then the game turned in the 37th, as St. Mark's pushed forward for a set piece and their more diminutive forward snuck in unmarked at the front post to bury the only goal of the match. 

In the second half, the ball was predominantly in the St. Mark's half, as Middlesex squeezed the space from the back and created all of the best chances. Numerous free goal-scoring chances went unclaimed, as the minutes ticked away on the clock. The drama peaked in the 80th minute, when senior captain Jivan Purutyan scored on a flicked header from an onside position.  However the goal was disallowed, and the final score line remained 1-0 to the home team.  With well over double the amount of scoring chances created, and a dominant midfield performance from Tasker, Sloan, and Purutyan in the second half, there is plenty to be proud of for the Zebras.  Up next are the Pelicans from St. Paul's, who travel to Middlesex next Wednesday.