2019 ISL Match Report
Date:  10/30/2019
Home Team:  Middlesex
Away Team:   Noble & Greenough
Score (H-A):  1-3
Goals (Assists)-        Home:             #10 Kwabena Kwakwa (86', Penalty)
                                    Away:             #8 Alex Abdelal (7', Assist #9 Michael Balleani)
                                                            #10 Harry Roberts (12', Assist #17 Harri Sprofera)
                                                            #10 Roberts (56', Assist #17 Sprofera)
Goalkeeping-             Home:             Alfonso DeVito (90', 3 GA)
                                    Away:             Joe Todd (90', 1 GA)
Cardings-                   Home:             None
                                    Away:             None
Notes:            
            Two early defensive lapses cost the Middlesex Boys' Soccer team in a crucial late-season home match with Noble & Greenough.  In just the 7^th minute a Nobles throw-in saw Balleani spin his defender and beat another at the byline with late cover that allowed him to roll a slow ball along the edge of the six to an unmarked Alex Abdelal, who missed the ball on his first attempt and still had enough time to tuck home his second attempt from close range.  Just five minutes later Harry Roberts was allowed an uncontested header at the back post that was sent bouncing back into the front post side net for a lightning 2-0 advantage.  To their credit, the Middlesex boys clawed their way back into the match in the first half and controlled much of the last 15 minutes.  The best chance of the rest of the half was taken by Anyolo Makatiani, who hit the underside of the crossbar from within eight yards but could not finish. 
 
With Middlesex looking the more aggressive at the start of the second half, Nobles again took advantage of passive marking as Roberts headed home another uncontested finish from a corner kick to seal the match at 3-0.  Consolation came in the last five minutes for Middlesex, as freshman Aarav Mehta buried a chance inside the box only to have it cancelled out by the referee awarding a penalty kick for a foul on Nobles.  Despite that challenge, Kwabena Kwakwa stepped up and buried his penalty to bring the score to 3-1.  Middlesex pressed for another and Walker Massey hit the post from six yards out but could not finish the rebound.  The will to fight back was strong from Middlesex, but the repeated defensive lapses and loss of focus proved too costly to regain what was given away.