We beat Brunswick 3-0 at home on another gorgeous day in the valley. Right from the start, we were the quicker and more possessive team, though we struggled to connect in the final third, sending only 18+ yd shots from midfielders. They were good shots, but not good enough to beat their keeper. Late in the half, centerback Michael Hioe (27) took a free kick from about 40 yds which striker Rabi Diallo (29) manged to settle inside the box and shoot. It was deadened by a defender, but Rabi nimbly scrambled over it and poked it between the keeper’s legs. Brunswick’s best chance of the day, a solid strike just over the bar, came just before we broke for 1-0 at the half. It was all Deerfield in the second half, when we clamped down on defense and scored two more in quick succession about midway through. A bounding ball past the far post looked to be going out, but striker Henry Markcrow (28) managed to chase it down and head it back across the goal mouth where Jack Zhunio (27) settled and blasted from 8 yds. Soon after, on a counter-attack up the left side, Jack Zhunio (27) sent a perfect ball behind the center backs which Henry Markcrow (28) ran onto and, at full speed, placed a left footer across the goalie’s face and just inside the far panel. Great balance and poise on that finish. It was another solid outing for this squad, whose feisty quickness on both sides of the ball are making things tough for opponents to gain any advantage. Coach Jarcho and I wish all players a restful day off on Monday!