2018 ISL Match Report
Date:  10/12/2018
Home Team:  Groton
Away Team:   Middlesex
Score (H-A):  2-3
Goals (Assists)-         Home: #10 Max Strong (43', assist #12 Mark Bruni)
                                                #12 Bruni (67', assist #3 Steven Perchuk)
                                    Away:  #11 Kwabena Kwakwa (34', assist #10 Josh Quirk)
                                                #17 Anyolo Makatiani (39', assist #2 Justin D'Alessandro)
                                                #17 Makatiani (89', assist #10 Quirk)
Goalkeeping-            Home:   Rajit Khanna (45', 2 GA)
                                                  Jack Pedreschi (45', 1 GA)           
                                    Away:    Kenyon Pelletier (58', 1 GA)
                                                  Alfonso De Vito (32', 1 GA)          
Cardings-                  Home:   None            
                                    Away:    None
Notes:             Middlesex was called on to host their Long Weekend clash in boys' soccer at the Herter Turf field and emerged from the epic battle 3-2 winners.  The first half hour was a strategic chess match, and the deadlock was broken in the 34^th minute by a special effort from Kwabena Kwakwa.  The sophomore midfielder took a ball across the field to combine into the feet of Josh Quirk, and the resulting flick was taken off of Kwakwa's thigh and the second touch was a thundering near post half volley for the 1-0 lead.  Just five minutes later, Anyolo Makatiani doubled the lead, as Justin D'Alessandro played a ball just over the head of Makatiani's marker for a first touch out of the air and a second touch over the head of the keeper and into the net.  Groton immediately showed their character and resolve, as Mark Bruni spun off of the throw in to play a perfectly weighted pass that split three defenders to send Max Strong off to goal.  Strong cut on to his left and his shot was deflected off of the pressuring defender and into the side net to make it 2-1 just before halftime.  The game continued to be an even amount of possession and chances for both sides until a foul on the left side of the Middlesex goal set up the equalizer for Groton.  Steven Perchuk hit the free kick to the near post and Mark Bruni beat the keeper to it with a gentle touch that took it over his shoulder and into the net. With the match tied for the last 20 minutes, it looked like a draw was in store until Jacob Charles picked up a ball off of a spell of Groton pressure around the Middlesex box.  He broke the pressure line to play Kwabena Kwakwa into the midfield who then played to a streaking Josh Quirk.  Quirk cut the ball back to the middle for Anyolo Makatiani to run on to, and the striker got his first touch at the same time as the keeper.  The momentum carried the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net for the 3-2 winner.  The attack of Strong and Bruni were a constant threat, and the midfield play of Walker Davey and Jack Goodrich was outstanding.  For Middlesex, Justin Krayer was excellent in the back and Kwabena Kwakwa and Anyolo Makatiani were the difference makers.  Overall, it was an intensely competitive and exciting match that could have gone either way.