We earned a draw with NMH, our local rival and most skilled opponent with what was clearly our grittiest effort of the season. The boys showed up with purpose, committed to making senior day one to remember. This was the last home game for Andrew Lewis, Finn Knight, Kiefer Ebling, Cai Harrison, James Kurto, and Joe Berman. We had a few injuries and missing players so our bench was thin. You couldn’t tell by our play, though; we were swarming NMH in the back and working hard to close seams and dispossess in the midfield. Our back line was impenetrable, especially with Joe Berman directing traffic. Midway through the first half, NMH scored a penalty kick when two of our defenders sandwiched an attacker in the far corner of the box. It was a good, unfortunate call. We had to respond well and we did. NMH was handling the ball in the back when our attackers pressed, forcing them to pass back to their keeper. Senior Cai Harrison kept pressing and leapt in the air to block the keeper’s clearance. The ball struck him in an unfortunate spot, but rebounded into the NMH net for the equalizing goal. The team danced around a crumpled, yet jubilant Cai Harrison. Soon after, just before halftime, Joe Berman made perhaps the save of his career, when he “got big” in front of an NMH player as he one-timed a cross at the top of the six. Few JV keepers can make this save and it ended up preserving the draw for us. The second half was played evenly with our defense better than theirs, their midfield better than ours, and our attack gaining good chances but unable to finish. Joe had to punch one free kick to safety, but otherwise was untested. Overall, we “played up” today and earned a solid result against a very good team. Lots to be proud of on senior day! One week to go and we’re aiming for two wins!