Brimmer begins their defense of MBIL Championship

After almost two years without a game, the varsity boys’ soccer team started its defense of the 2019 MBIL title. The team travelled to Hyde Park to take on Boston Trinity Academy, who Brimmer had narrowly defeated in the 2019 championship game. The game started out slowly with both teams trying to feel out the others’ strengths and weaknesses. After five minutes, the Gators settled into a rhythm and started to take control of the game. Ten minutes into the game, the Gators took a lead, when Sevak Glorikian played a wonderfully weighted long ball over the BTA defense for Lucas Williams to run onto. Lucas, playing in his first game for the varsity team, took a touch settle the ball and then drilled a shot past the BTA keeper. The Gators continued to dominate this period of play, but midway through the half, BTA started to get back into the game and controlled the last five minutes of the first half, which ended with the Gators holding their one goal advantage.

Brimmer came out of the break with renewed energy and were able to double the lead. Sevak again provided the assist, when he threaded the needle with an accurate pass through two BTA defenders. Captain Brian Barrera, took the ball in his stride brought into the eighteen and onto his strong left foot and riffled a shot past the diving BTA keeper. Down by two goals, BTA increased their intensity and started to control periods of the game. Midway through the half, BTA scored on rookie goalkeeper, Theo Johnson. The shot was a solid one, but Theo looked to have it covered, however, the ball bounced a couple of yards in front of him and took an unexpected path ending in the back of the net. The Gators were able to regain their two goal advantage with an incredible goal from Xavier Claiborne. Xavier, playing his first game for the team as the right center back, sent the ball long from just behind the halfway line. The ball just kept going, and as the keeper backpedalled, the ball went in the top corner of the goal. A highlight reel goal if ever there was one. Both teams had chances on offense in the last ten minutes, but in the end the game ended with a 3 - 1 victory for the Gators.

 

Brimmer will be back in action when they travel to Waltham to face league rivals Gain Academy on Thursday. Game time is set for 4:15pm.