By Coach Lenny
St. Francis traveled across town to play Emerson’s Eagles on Thursday. Though Emerson had dominated the rivalry, and dominated play this day, St. Francis battled their way to a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. After the Eagles had put strong pressure on the St. Francis defense, with numerous shots just wide of the goal and others stopped by the opposing keeper, a St. Francis counter attack saw their forward push his way through the Emerson defense and put a strong, accurate shot just inside the right post. Emerson immediately went back on the attack, and eventually Elliot Beck got the tying goal, which was followed not long after by a go-ahead tally from Thomas Halloran before the first half ended.
The second half resembled the first, Emerson generally controlling the play, St. Francis mounting the odd counter attack. This time around the Eagles found the net a bit more often, despite some excellent saves by St. Francis’ keeper. Thomas scored his second of the day, and as the game moved into its final quarter Vince Pelosi scored to make it 4-1. The mood of the game was still, somehow, unsettled. It took a while longer for things to feel under control. In the last few minutes Matthew Murray and Austin Sarns each scored, bringing the final total to 6-1, a rather large margin of victory did reflect Emerson having the best of the field position and scoring chances, but which belied the tenacity with which St. Francis played throughout.
