2010 St. Thomas Aquinas Boys Soccer

Oyster River Game #1

 

Saturday,  September 11,  St. Thomas (3-1) played Oyster River (3-2) at UNH's Bremner Field today.  The game was switched because Oyster River's home field was repaired over the summer and still needed some time.  Regardless of the standings,  the rivalry between these two teams gives every game a play-off atmosphere.   Bremner field is a large 72 yard X 120 yard turf field.  The size of the field opened up the game and gave it an even faster pace than the two grass field teams were used to. 

2005 saw the Bobcats end St. Thomas's play-off drive in the quarter final game in Durham.
While the rivalry totals are still in Oyster Rivers favor the Saints have worked hard to change that over the past 5 seasons.

2006 Saints 1-0 at STA   Oyster River 2-1 in double over time  at Durham
2007 Saints 1-0 at STA   Saints 2-1 in double over time at Durham
2008 Saints 1-0 at STA  Saints 3-3 in double over time at Durham (STA scoring 2 goals in final 4 minutes to tie)
2009 Saints 1-0 at STA  Saints 3-1 at Durham

Prior to the start of the game the teams lined up and the announcer asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of all those effected by September 11th.  After that moment there was never a quiet moment from the fans cheering on both teams in another great match-up.

The Bobcats kicked off and lost possession to the Saints on a cross field pass that was just off the mark.  Then began the battle of the midfield for control.  Ed Conroy  and Mike Fort fought to gain the center while Jon DiPietro and Dan Perreault used the width of the field to their advantage.  Each team put terrific pressure on the ball so possession changed after every third or fourth pass.  At the five minute mark Fort worked the ball into the Oyster River box and passed to Jeff King who turned and fired at the goal.  The ball rebounded off the keeper and  Jon Nartif raced onto the ball and chipped it over the outstretched arm of the bobcat Keeper  for his first Varsity goal. The eventual game winner came at 5:12 and gave the Saints that extra momentum to carry the game.  The Saints defense of Noah Schwaegerle, Mike Kubiczki, TJ Tetreault and David Ham pulled off some great steals and contained the Bobcat attack.  Oyster River did manage 5 shots on goal in the half, but all were saved by Seldon Cook.  Twice as many shots sailed high over the cross bar.  Jonathan DeWolf also added some stellar stops and tackles as he gave defenders needed breaks.  Peter Roginski added pressure on the Oyster River back line from the forward position.  Andrew Civiello and Connor Bailey also added their play on both sides of the ball on the outside midfield.  Both playing great defense and adding to the attack.  DiPietro and Tetreault worked some great combinations to get the ball down the Bobcats right side.  Chips and Crossed into the box caused problems for the Oyster River defense.

The score at Halftime was 1-0 Saints.

St. Thomas took the kick off to start the second half and both teams played with an increased urgency.  The saints were able to drop numbers back behind the ball when Oyster River had possession.  The team worked well not to get caught in transition. 

Connor Kennedy saw his first varsity action as an outside midfielder.  Nothing like a baptism under fire for your first time on the pitch.  JJ Burnelle and Camden Latimer also saw time as forwards running to pressure the Bobcats back four.  Oyster River moved up a third forward and made several attacked against the St. Thomas defense.  The Saints back four were able to send the ball out for numerous counter attacks.  Nartif, King,  DiPietro,  Baily, Fort and Conroy all had great chances.  Bailey's shot was at such an angle that both the benches and the fans thought it was in the net.  DiPietro sent a blistering shot just into the side of the net.

The Bobcats were getting caught with numbers up trying to even the score and the Saints were patient only attacking with two or three players on the counters.  The Oyster River Keeper made three great saves in the second half to keep the score at one. 

Conroy was breaking to the goal with determination when the final whistle blew.

The Saints win 1-0 in another tough rivalry game.

Asher Booz made 5 saves in net for Oyster River.
Seldon Cook made 8 saves for St. Thomas to earn his first Varsity Shut-out.

Oyster River travels north on 9/17 to play Lebanon and then an overnight with Hanover on 9/18

St. Thomas next sees action against Bishop Brady on Wednesday 9/15.  The Saints haven't seen Bishop Brady in over 7 years.

St. Thomas will be playing that game in memory of  Nancy Murray,  a St. Thomas Hockey mom to a large number of the Soccer players during the winter season.   Players will wear black sweatbands and play in her memory.

Memorial donations can be made to: Leukemia Research Fund, c/o Doctor Kenneth Miller, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111.

 

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