We beat NMH at home 2-0, our first win after five years of losing or drawing. Our boys made things very frustrating for NMH, particularly in the midfield. John Rousou’s (28) fiesty disposessions and quick deliveries created forward momentum time and again. Jack Webb’s (27) creativity and stabilizing presence ensured that we found linkage or open space appropriately. The referees let the boys play more physically than usual and our boys rose to meet the physicality without letting tempers bubble over. Of all the good soccer I saw today, this aspect of the game was most impressive — Coach Jarcho and I are super proud of our team’s focus and sportsmanship. We had the lion’s share of chances in the first half, but we couldn’t find the net. 0-0 at halftime. We came out in the second half a little sluggish, but our back four, particularly Nick Smiarowski (26), Jack Wagner (26), and Michael Hioe (27), stood tall and cleared NMH’s attacks. We scored, finally, about midway through the second half by connecting passes from our left wingback, Isaac Shobola (27), to left winger Tai Feng (26), who slotted a perfect bounding ball across the goal mouth and out of the NMH goalie’s reach. Victor Kibuuka (26) got to the end of it just outside the far post and deftly directed back it toward the goal. The ball crossed the line before an NMH defender attempted to kick it out. We out-possessed NMH down the stretch, dispossessing them over and over, one of which found Ethan Pang (28) just outside the 18 yard box. Ethan unleashed a cannon half-volley which whizzed past the keeper. That sealed the 2-0 victory in the closing minutes. NMH is the only team we’ll face twice this season, so we’ll mark the calendar for leg two, as they were a competitive and eager team. For now, though, we’ll bask in this hard-fought win.