SEASON RECORD: 8 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie
Oct. 15 vs. Steiner
The Emerson Middle School soccer team’s 6th and 7th graders went to Steiner School on Tuesday to take on the Stars’ full squad, 8th graders included. It was an eye-opening game, to say the least. Emerson had the better of the play early, but was unable to find the net, with a number of shots sailing just over the crossbar and a few saves by the Steiner keeper. Midway through the first half the Stars’ left mid made a nice run from the half line, got around the Emerson defense and beat the goalie cleanly, and suddenly the Eagles found themselves behind for the first time this season. It took a while, but Emerson round their offensive rhythm again, and put renewed pressure on Steiner. Thomas Halloran made a fine run through the Stars’ defense, only to have his attempt inside the near post deflected by the keeper. In the ensuing scramble the ball came free and Jack Finnegan was able to finish, tying the game at 1-1 going into half-time.
In the 2nd half the Eagles completely took over the game. Thomas started things off with the go-ahead goal, then scored again after running onto a nice through ball from Will Downey. A few minutes later striker Alex Dontu turned around the Steiner sweeper and beat the keeper low to give Emerson a commanding 4-1 lead. Will then fed Thomas again, second assist for Will, hat trick for Thomas. Will finished things off in stereo, so to speak – first, a run from his own end down the right touch line, cutting in at the 18 behind the last defender and scoring, then something of a repeat performance, this time more toward the middle of the field, splitting the entire Steiner defense for his 2nd goal and Emerson’s final margin of 7-1.
Austin Sarns played a strong game at Sweeper for the Eagles, Lindsey Barba, Biruk Tewodros and Henry Branch were solid as outside mids, and virtually every forward not already mentioned showed continued improvement – Gaya Pederson, Katie Wu, Soleil Ponce de Leon, Dana Kachman, Quade Pohlman, Brenan Dionne (when not playing goalie) and Elie Spoor. Of particular note is Hazel Byers, who generated a number of shots and just narrowly missed on a couple of them.
