Martlets Open with a Win

3BS opened the season with a come-from-behind win over the Choate Rosemary Hall Wild Boars. Considering we only yesterday settled on our team roster, the boys played well as a team! The score is closer than the control of play and scoring chances during this afternoon might indicate. The Martlets earned 7 corner kicks and the Boars didn’t earn any. While the field was not tilted as much as the corner kicks may indicate, we certainly had more and better chances. After controlling the edge of the game for most of the first half, CRH scored a goal with about 14 minutes remaining and maintained this lead going into halftime. Our boys were physically aggressive and earned several penalties, but none cost us any additional goals against.

Understanding the importance of the next goal coming out of halftime, Arthur Lilley ‘27 crashed the goal area and put away the tying goal two minutes into the second half. Dylan Zapata ‘27 and CJ Berry ‘29 combined for assists on this goal. Lilley tallied his second goal just another two minutes later as the Martlets took the lead for the first time. Colin Daly ‘27 fed Lilley the ball along the right side of the attacking box and Lilley lofted a shot to the far corner that soared (like a Martlet?) over the goalie’s head for the goal. 

The Wild Boars did not collapse after the Martlets took the lead and scored the equalizer about five minutes later. Their left forward broke through and sent the ball into the net. Several more exchanges happened in rapid succession: Dylan Park ‘29 (assisted by Zapata) scored from just inside the top of the box; two minutes later CRH again scored the equalizer this time on a beautiful direct kick from outside the left edge of the box.

Finally, your Martlets broke into the win column after Lan Dao ‘29 converted our first penalty kick opportunity of the season. Kyle Zhou ‘29 provided the nail in the coffin with less than one minute remaining in the contest. Archie Downing ‘29 provided the assist.

We’re on to two days of practice before we head to western CT to play Kent School on Saturday at 3pm. Lilley was our GRIT & Grace player of the game as in addition to his two goals he provided valuable Sixth Form leadership throughout the game.