Front Row L to R:  Joao AC Paiva, Jeff Guild, Ed Ibanez, Jim Eilenberger, Mike Robichaud, Rob Easton, John "JD" Demeritt, Back Row L to R: Peter Cline, Chris Cloutier, John Guild, Woody Harper, Dale Dubois, Jim Walker, Jeff Bailey, Joe Masci, Scott Sharby

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In an ever-ending attempt to makes things more difficult than it need be, DEA needed a late goal to finally overcome last-place Ipswich, 3-2.  Heading into the last week of the season, DEA finds themselves level on 19 points with Hollis.  Boxford (17) and Andover (16) lurk within reach of the top.

Give Ipswich a ton of credit.  Knowing for a while they are heading for relegation, they have stepped up their play in an effort to be the spoilers to the table leaders.  Two weeks ago they drew with Andover, before dropping a close 1-0 decision to Boxford last week.  They gave DEA all they could handle this week.  It took 88 minutes, but DEA finally put them away.

With first-choice keeper Jim Eilenberger out with a rib injury, and backup Chris Cloutier on the sidelines due to a yellow-card suspension, DEA turned to rookie Mike Hall.  Furtunately, DEA Management did a masterful job of assembling the roster for the season, as they still threw out an experienced keeper in Hall and barely missed a beat.

DEA started flat, but still held possession and with the relative ease, looked like they would have an easy time of it.  Lacking ambition to finish off their chances, they appeared to patiently wait as surely Ipswich would crumble, no?  That answer was, indeed, 'no'.

It took 40 minutes before DEA got a really solid chance, and it was built beautifully.  With Joao Palva once again quarterbacking play in the middle, he found Scott Sharby at the top of the box.  Sharby received Joao's feed well, and drew two defenders with him.  Ed Ibanez quickly filled the vacated space, where he ran onto Sharby's back-heel in full stride.  Ibanez one-timed his shot, where it beat the keeper, but slammed high off the bar and out of harm's way.  That would be the only clear chance in the half.  Second half saw a wild finish.

DEA started quickly in the second half when Dale Dubois sprang Sharby down the left side.  With options open at the top of the box, Sharby split the seam between defenders and keeper and found Jim Walker in a lawn chair at the back post.  Walker easily touched home to give DEA a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes later, however, Ipswich would level.  Owners of a paltry 5 goals scored to date, they flash some offensive brilliance when Ricardo Elias would nod home Cain Newman's cross to make it 1-1.  DEA was stunned.  Surely, they expected an easier day of it.

On 75 minutes, Peter Cline beautifully worked around his man into space, and pushed a pass to Mike Robichaud along the right side.  Robey sped through, initially looking to pass, before he beat the keeper to the short side to restore the lead for DEA.

Just a minute or two later, DEA looked like they had some insurance when Ibanez won a header and left it completely alone on the right.  With nary a player within 15 yards, Walker steamed ahead, won the ball, dribbled the keeper, pushed a touch a bit outside, and finished into the empty net.  But, NO!  It trickled off the back post and out of play.  Would this be another case of missed opportunities haunting DEA?

Two minutes later, that concern was realized when a cross in the box ate up Rich Powlowsky.  His first touch went awry, and Ipswich easily touched home and it looked like DEA's season was lost.

Then, with under two minutes to play, DEA went back and found one more in their bag.  When their first swaray into the area was met with resistance, Ipswich began to break out.  Jeff Guild made a tremendous effort, tracking his man and stealing away before finding Dale in the middle.  Dale chipped into the box, where Joao brought it down.  With defenders hanging all over him, Joao subtly created just a bit of space for himself before pushing wide to Sharby.  Sharby first-timed his shot, high over the keeper that dipped below the bar to finally give DEA the 'W'.

The results of the rest of the games soon trickled in.  Hollis pounded Boxford, 5-2;  Andover laid a worse beating on Groton, 6-2.  DEA needs to win at Andover next week, while hoping Ipswich can steal a point when they play host to Hollis.  Groton travels to Boxford in the last match of the day.  If Ipswich puts another solid effort together and can get a least a draw from Hollis, DEA will be primed to win the division if they beat Andover.  Boxford needs to win their game, and hope for losses by both Hollis and DEA to take the title.  Andover still is mathematically in eat.  They need to beat DEA, and Hollis to lose, to force a three-way tie.  Anything can happen.

The playoff/promotion picture looks a bit more positive for DEA.  Based on the records in the South and Central Divisions, if DEA wins their last match they should ensure themselves the Wild Card playoff entry and also promotion to Division 1

DEA created a bit of a scare, but took care of business in topping Groton, 2-1, on the road.  DEA now trails Boxford by 1 point, and tied with Hollis, heading into the last two weeks of the season. 

DEA stormed out of the gate, taking the play at Groton and creating a flurry of activity in the offensive third.  Again, the midfield combination of Ed Ibanez and the maestro, Joao Palva, quarterbacked play with aplomb.

On 15 minutes, DEA leading scorer Scott Sharby got the scoring started when he took a sublime feed through traffic from Joao and was put free.  With only the keeper to beat, Sharby slipped home to give DEA a 1-0 lead.

Back at the other end, Dale Dubois and Peter Cline were matched in the middle and were clamping down any efforts from Groton.  Groton's Craig Griffin did have one good look, taking a Barry Doust pass while crossing through the middle.  Griffin's first touch was true, but his half-volley whistled by the post.

Minutes later, DEA Keeper Jim Eilenberger came up big when he thwarted another Griffin attempt, getting down low to save a shot and swallow the rebound.

When Joao put Jim Walker through, Walker was tracked by Jon Barlow, fin up.  Barlow attempted to clear, but Walker was too pacey and Barlow got a lot of leg, not enough of the ball.  The ref immediately pointed to the spot.  Ibanez wanted to part of it...

Joao stepped up and promptly sent the keeper the wrong way before slamming home into the side webbing to give DEA a 2-0 lead.  The rout looked to be on, instead that was the last time DEA would light the lamp today.

It was 2-0 at halftime.  Groton was fortunate to only be down by a pair.  DEA's knack of not finishing had been a problem, and they hoped to avoid further trouble in the second half.

DEA continued creating chances, but were not able to put this game away.  Sharby, while leading DEA in scoring, only has a 10% ratio of chances to finishes.  But, at least the action was mainly in Groton's end as DEA continued to defend well.

With 20 minutes left, DEA lost their defensive shape.  The backfield cohesion wandered, leaving gaps and open markers as the defensive line stopped working together.  George Manthous hammered a full-volley from Doust off the outside of the post with a clear chance.  Doust himself tried an audacious overhead volley that just missed.

Then, with all defensive posture gone in the last five minutes, Groton pulled one back when Dave Palmer was left open in the middle off transition.  What looked like a cakewalk suddenly became a nail-biter.  Anything less than the full three points for DEA would almost surely knock them from title contention.  Then, 'Berg made a save for the ages that may have rescued the season for DEA.

About ten minutes after the ref indicated there were 4 minutes left, and with players commenting over and over that was the longest 4 minutes in history, Thurman Van Riper (Jack's cousin) fired from 45 yards out that Ibanez deflected.  The dipping shot still had pace, and forced 'Berg to scramble back and just punch over the bar in a stunning save, forcing a corner.  As everyone attempted to line up for the restart, the ref then decided to blow his whistle...strange indeed.  However, DEA was not going to complain as they had survived, literally, by their fingertips....

DEA hosts Ipswich next week.  Previously 3-0 winners on the road, DEA has to take all three points before closing the season at Andover.  DEA needs a tie next week in the Boxford/Hollis match as the most sure way to ensure promotion.  Otherwise, they may lose out.

DEA and Boxford battled through some creative refereeing, temperatures in the 30s with high wind and monsoon-like rains, and each other, in an entertaining match that saw DEA outlast Boxford with a late tally.

Three times, DEA took leads only to have Boxford's resiliency see them draw level.  Finally, a poor decision by the Boxford keeper led to a even poorer execution and the result was Scott Sharby launching a 40-yard shot into an empty net in the 85th minute to give DEA the winning margin.

Make no mistake, it was freakin' cold out there.  The drenching rains, wind, and temperatures just above freezing made for some miserable faces.  From the opening touch, DEA took the play at Boxford, and they were rewarded early.

Ed Ibanez again teamed up with Joao Palva in the middle, and their chemistry is beginning to show.  Ibanez would spring Joao through the middle.  Joao dribbled around the last defender before finding himself alone with the keeper.  He deftly touched a shot that kissed the right post on it's way by to give DEA a 1-0 lead.

Boxford would level ten minutes later off a restart.  After DEA stopper Dale Dubois nudged Boxford striker Peter Perkins to the turf, the ref awarded restart 19 yards from goal.  Paul Roscoe had the honors, and he superbly dipped his right-footed shot over the wall that was tucking inside the short post.  DEA back-up keeper Chris Cloutier got some of it, but not enough, as it squirted past.  1-1.

Undeterred, DEA came right back by attacking the flanks where the Guild Brothers, along with Mike Robichaud, roamed freely.  Sharby was proving a handful to handle up top, as Boxford struggled to contain his strength that was complimented nicely by Jim Walker's speed.  They would take the lead back on 35 minutes.

After Walker won a corner, John Guild's corner was short, where Ibanez kept possession.  He surveyed his options and fed it back to Guild, who was now encroaching into the area, still along the touchline.  This time, Guild's cross was met at the backpost by Sharby, whose thumping header was seen by many, heard by all, giving DEA a 2-1 lead going into the break.

Boxford came right back five minutes into the second half, and this time the weather was a factor.  Walter Quispe cut inside and sent a soft shot that was looking to go over the bar.  DEA first choice keeper Jim Eilenberger, who had just entered, watched it initially sail high, before the wind pushed it down and into the netting, and it was back to 2-2.

DEA kept coming, and regained the lead within ten minutes.  The other Guild, Jeff, stepped in front of a pass around the midfield stripe and fed Cloutier, now out on the pitch, patrolling outside the area.  Cloutier slipped a pass to Joao, cutting across the area to the right.  Joao's first touch was sublime, turning toward goal and seeing the backpost free.  Jeff Guild, after starting the play, made a beeline to that post and met Joao's cross in full stride.  He one-timed his shot, seeing the keeper get most of it, before it bounded off the post and bar, settling back to Jeff's feet along the goal line where he touched it home, making it 3-2.

DEA fully intended to make this lead last.  With Peter Cline filling in at sweeper for the injured Joe Masci, DEA wasn't letting anything get through.  Rich Powlowsky, Rob Easton, and John Demerrit locked down on the flanks.  DEA pushed to finally get a two-goal lead.

Walker ran onto 'Berg's long, wind-aided punt, outrunning the last line of defense before one-timing a shot high.  Sharby ripped a shot just past the right post.  As has been the case a few times this season, DEA was letting too many chances go awry.  Fifteen minutes from time, it cost them.

After DEA lost all defensive shape, they watched as Boxford's Shawn Perkins broke free and hammered a low drive, where 'Berg parried it wide, but still in play.  DEA still hadn't recovered, and Perkins tracked down his own shot, turned, and had all damn day to pick out a plethora of unmarked options in the front.  His laser pass was met by the onrushing talismanic midfielder for Boxford, Kevin Collins, whose resulting shot skipped just past Dale, then 'Berg, and back to level it went.  The fiery Collins, feeling the moment of the game, screamed "we will not lose this game" in an effort to get Boxford to lock down for the last fifteen.  A tie would be a victory for Boxford today, leaving them 4 points clear of DEA and virtually eliminating them from title contention.  What would follow was pure folley.

When Sharby took down a defender with the clocking looking heavy, the Boxford keeper ran out to take the restart, 35 yards from goal and well off to his right.  Now, it should be mentioned that Boxford had been having issues getting any distance on anything in their own end.  Neither the keeper nor the sweeper had any success, as twice DEA picked off passes and had good looks coming back.  This time, they made it pay off.

Sharby took the kick and brought it down to his feet.  With the keeper scrambling to make it back to goal, Sharby sent a beautiful shot that cleared the keeper and finally put this one away.

There is a logjam at the top with three weeks to play.  Boxford leads with 14 points, and Andover, DEA, and Hollis all follow with 13.  DEA needs to win-out and hope for some help along the way.  They start that process next week at Groton. 

Another game of stellar defending overcame more offensive woes as DEA topped Hollis, 1-0.  The game puts DEA back into the race for the top, sitting 4 points behind leader Boxford, who they play this week.

DEA deserved the win, but they made it interesting as they blew chance after chance in the second half.  Jeff Guild's left footed 20-yarder saved them and secured the three points as DEA avenged their season-opening loss to Hollis.

Mike Hall and Dale Dubois were outstanding in the defensive middle today.  Rich Powlowsky had a tremendous game himself on the outside, continually stepping up smartly and serving well into the box.

The game was won in the center of the pitch today, though.  Ed Ibanez and Joao Palva just wore down Hollis, dominating the final 20 minutes of the match.

On three separate occasions, DEA missed open goals that either could've started the scoring, or salted the game away.  Jim Walker (who eventually would set up Guild for the winner), beat the keeper but his rushed shot was pushed wide.  Scott Sharby would do the same later on, but his shot sailed over the bar.  Ibanez also poorly struck his shot late that proved a missed opportunity for insurance.  

With 15 minutes left in a 0-0 game, Walker took a pass and left looked headed to the corner.  Instead, he fed Guild off to the right who first-timed a nice shot into the far webbing to ensure DEA would take home the three points.

DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger had most of his action clearing crosses, firmly claiming his area and punching clear when needed.  He was forced into one save, a low screamer to his left that he swallowed well.

DEA travels to Boxford, with whom they levelled earlier in the year.  Currently, Boxford sits at 14 points; Andover with 12; and both Hollis and DEA tied for 3rd with 10.  DEA has four games left, two against the lower tiered teams they have already beat (Groton and Ipswich) before finishing at Andover.  A lot can happen...but right now they need to take care of business and win. 

Despite dominating play for about a half-hour, DEA couldn't find the equalizer in dropping a 2-1 defeat at the hands of table leaders, Andover.

Sportsman's turf was a bit beat up due to some recent rains and the O-30's previous match, so the middle was a mosh pit.  With neither side familiar with their other, play was tentative for the initial ten minutes.  DEA had a good chance early, but Jim Walker couldn't latch onto a deflect Mike Robichaud cross.

Andover worked the edges well, finding the good turf and utilizing some suprising closing speed.  Mike Hall and Dale Dubois closed down the middle for DEA, forcing the play away from goal.

On 30 minutes, Andover broke free off a missed marker.  When their obnoxious oaf of a center middie, Betinho Moniz, crossed to the middle where Mike Juliano handled in the box.  Phil the ref missed it as Juliano elbowed home from close range.  DEA doth protest too much, giving up the fight when more concerning was how open they left their mark.

DEA levelled ten minutes later off a nice passing display.  Chris Cloutier, in the process of benching himself, managed to steal an outlet pass and dished to Ed Ibanez.  Eddie had a good look and began to calibrate when he instead slipped a ball to Jeff Guild arriving on the right.  Guild fed into the box where Scott Sharby plunked home his team-leading 3rd of the season to level before the half.

Second half saw a couple of players leave for coaching duties, forcing DEA to play with a short bench for the last 45 minutes.  Compounding the problem, they allowed Andover to go back on top after ten minutes.  Nigel Wilkenson crossed into the box where DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger was forced to punch clear due to the pressure from Ron Smits.  Andover's Peter Roman collected 25 yards from goal, saw 'Berg scrambling to get back, and chipped over thick traffic into the webbing for a nicely-taken, eventual winner.

DEA kept plugging, putting Robey in the middle as Andover was beat down.  Ibanez moved outside to find some space, and together the two of them sent ball after ball into the area.  Rich Powlowsky from the left side also was dropping pin-point crosses to the box, but Andover's height proved tough to beat.

Scott Sharby ripped a drive wide to the short side mid-way through the half off a clear chance.  Joao Palva's header to the back post just missed from close range.  Walker had a look as well, but his shot trickled past the leaning post.  Andover was hanging on, but DEA couldn't make them pay.

Finally, Cloutier and Robichaud linked up before seeing Palva with free space.  Palva saw Sharby coming across the area, and his first touch was true.  Sharby beat his man, before being yanked to the pitch.  Phil immediately and decisively pointed to the spot, where Ibanez stepped up.

The keeper bought early, even before Eddie was selling, diving to the right.  Eddie followed suit, shooting into the keeper's breadbasket and the chance went awry.

They could've let it deflate them, but they kept after it and kept the pressure on.  Two more scrambles ensued, with solid chances following, but DEA just could not find the webbing.  To say Andover 'survived' would be generous. 

DEA lost a glorious opportunity to take at least a point, but also the big swing allowed Andover to maintain their one point lead Boxford, with Hollis another point behind.  DEA falls to mid-table, 5 points off the pace and 6 ahead of relegation.  They have a big one coming up against Hollis this Sunday at Sportsman's.

***It should be noted the absolute lack of support shown by the O-30's squad.  Possessor of the first game today, by the team the Masters had left the pitch the youngins had left.  They may not have even won their own third half.  Pitiful display.***

DEA travelled through hill and valley to get to Ipswich, knowing full well they needed three points if they wanted to stay in the title hunt.  They were pleased with their performance as they took all three points with a 2-0 victory, running their scoreless streak to a shade under 200 minutes on the season.

DEA only had ten to start, but there was no need to worry as a couple of cars were en route and would arrive shortly after the first touch.

In fact, in the 8 minutes playing a man down you couldn't even tell as DEA held possession with Joao Palva performing magic in the middle.  With Scott Sharby and Mike Robichaud on the outside, DEA was utilizing their speed to launch attacks down the flanks.  Jim Walker proved dangerous while performing a solo act up top.

Defensively, Joe Masci and Dale Dubois were clogging the middle and tracking well.  Rob Easton and Chris Cloutier stepped smartly to constantly steal outlet passes and keep the action locked in Ipswich' own half.

After getting the full squad together, Ed Ibanez looped up with Joao and the two of them dominated for long stretches.  With the backfield continuing their lockdown, DEA looked to get some scoring going.  The looked to take the lead at 30 minutes when John Guild's cross found a wide open Robey flying in on the right.  Robey took the cross on a full volley and fired on frame, but it went straight in to the keeper's hands.

Five minutes later, Walker was hauled down in the box when breaking clean, but the ref was stick in a REM-sleep cycle and appeared to miss the action completely and ignored the cries for mercy.  Walker then latched onto Ibanez' pass, dribbled the keeper, and fed Jeff Guild off to the left.  He was judged to be offside in a close call.

DEA finally got through with five minutes left in the half when Walker again was sprung clear.  This time, he found Sharby who was in open and he netted into the vacated frame to give DEA a 1-0 lead.

Second half saw more of the same action...DEA attacking and pushing for the equalizer and Ipswich lacking inventiveness in the offensive third.  Then absurdity struck.

With Masci running down a long clearance, he shouldered his man aside and was promptly given a yellow for his effort.  The jibberish spewed from the ref made no sense, so no use repeating it here.  Needless to say, DEA had a few words of wisdom for the man in red.

A few moments later, Ibanez again sprung Walker where he was tomahawked to the turn.  The ref ran up, looked at walker splayed in a prone position, and waved the action on, telling him "you'll get some calls when your team stops whining".  A pure lack of professionalism.

Ipswich was then red-carded when a scuffle between Rob Easton and their little striker ensued.  The striker launched a b*tch-slap at Rob, who kept his composure as the striker was sent off.  It should be noted that this is the second time Rob has been in an altercation in the last two years and remained calm.  Must be the incense and yoga he has turned to around the house.

Fifteen minutes from time, Johnnie Guild found Joao in the middle.  Joao dribbled smartly and again was roughly thrown to the pitch.  On the ensuing restart, Ibanez' swirler was beautifully punched aside by "Cogs", the Ipswich keeper.  However, Walker was there to punch home the rebound to salt the game away. 

One more opportunity was to follow was Walker took a boot to the chest, about ten yards from goal.  After the ref initially said there was no fould, he saw the cleat marks on Jim's chest and even he had to admit there was a foul.   Of course, he lined up the ball outside the area...unreal.  The ensuing restart, this time taken by Joao, was punched over the bar with another nice save for "Cogs".

DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger had the day off with a relaxing one-save effort.

During the third half, Ipswich had some leftovers from their spread and invited DEA over for some chili and cornbread.  Dale, ever the diplomat, commented that the chili beans were a bit undercooked.  "They don't know how to attack with conviction and they can't cook chili beans, either", commented Masci.

The third half bordered on out of control as a Dale, Walker, 'Berg, Chris, Bic (playing his best now) hung around listening to the Pats and emptying the cooler.  Bic then proceeded to break the chair, as he was beyond the weight limit posted on the chair was, as you can see in the picture, was clearly outlined...

DEA host division leader Andover next week.  The division is quickly turning to the haves an the have-notes, with three teams within two points of the high scoring Andover Green.  Ipswich and Groton are winless through 4 games and already fighting the relegation zone.

DEA had a bit more of a battle than they anticipated, but finally broke through well after an hour in defeating Groton, 1-0.

After an early arrival to remove a few circus tents from the field after a festival was held the day before, DEA got accustomed to the pitch on this beautiful fall day.  DEA had been struggling to find their passing game in the season's start, but they found their legs today and was able to hold possession for lengths.  With Joao Palva and Ed Ibanez running quarterback through the middle, they linked with Jeff Guild, Peter Cline and Mike Robichaud to dominate the midfield in the early going.  Only the stellar play of sweeper Jon Barlow kept DEA from probing further.

Groton played a bit looser, but still dangerous at times.  Their attacks, however, were too predictable as every play was keyed off striker Barry Doust.  He was a challenge to mark, forcing DEA into a few mismatches in the back.  DEA backfield combo Dale Dubois, with Joe Masci sweeping, clogged the middle and kept the attacks on the perimeter where John Demeritt and Rob Easton were waiting.  JD especially had a strong game in stepping up and keeping Groton locked in their own zone.

Most of the action from both squads was kept away from goal in the first half, with neither having a solid chance until Groton looked like they had gone ahead at the 40-minute mark.  Simon Ditchman found Dave Palmer with just a glimmer of space, and Palmer turned and fired toward goal.  With no DEA player in site, Groton fans began to celebrate when DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger flew in from out of nowhere and parried it beyond the upper post.  It was an unreal save that had friends and foes both commenting on the absurdity of it.

Halftime whistles blew with the score level, and each team continuing the anemic offense that has plagued them both to start the season.  Through 5 halves, DEA had scored one goal, Groton none.  DEA hoped for more in the second half.

DEA got a big break just before the hour when Ditchman fed Doust cutting across the middle to the right.  With Masci in tow, Doust had a semi-oppurtunity -his best look of the game- and calibrated for a one-timer.  Instead, the pass took a Sportsman's Hop and bounded over his leg and out of harm's way.

DEA took advantage five minutes later through a bit of luck.  Rich Powlowski, back in the fold after playing a few years with DEA-O30s and then for the Hollis-O30's, opened his Masters account with a shot from distance.  After stopping a clearance and holding possesion in traffic, he launched a left-footer from beyond 30 yards that had the look of a pass when it left his foot.  With Groton keeper Ralph Hunter off his line, Powlowski's shot carried in cool dry air and settled just below the bar into the webbing.

Still with twenty-plus minutes left, DEA looked to take buy some insurance when Scott Sharby slipped Jim Walker through.  Again, Sportsman's would play it's part as Walker couldn't settle before pushing his shot across the bar.

DEA possessed out the last five minutes unscathed and finally were able to take a full 3 points.

Next up for the silver and black is a trip to Ipswich, currently bringing up the rear with Groton and possessors of seven goals against in their first three games.  DEA is looking to put an offensive show for their band of travelling groupies.

It was better, but it by no means was perfect, for DEA.  This time, they managed to break the seal and get on the board, but gave up their short-lived lead ten minutes after as they levelled with Boxford, 1-1.

They continued the trend of impatient play, getting away from their success last season and lost track of their short passing game.  Even with more space on the Sportsman's pitch, they didn't utilize it.

It was a scoreless first half, that saw the only real threat by DEA come in the closing moments. Joao Palva skirted around the left end before feeding a bevy of open DEA players in the front.  Mike Robichaud got the first whack at it, firing from close range and getting blocked.  Chris Cloutier had a poke from a yard, but it went straight at the keeper before Scott Sharby's shot was cleared away.  

Sharby eventually got the scoring going in the second half when taking a throw-in he streamed down the right side in open space.  He pushed inside before firing a low drive to the short post that put DEA in the lead.

Boxford levelled off a pretty play.  A cross came into their central midfield leader Kevin Collins, where he volleyed it along to the backpost where Paul Roscoe one-timed it home from in close.

DEA Keeper Jim Eilenberger robbed Shawn Perkins 5 minutes after when Perkins won a header and had it heading to the upper ninety.  'Berg launched himself over and just tipped it wide of the post.

The game would end in the draw as the last 15 minutes saw the play fall apart as everyone was gassed from the pace.  'Berg again covered the short post to make a save on the last touch of the game to perserve the tie.

DEA takes on Groton next week at Sportsman's.  Same time, same place, better result.

DEA was rudely welcomed to Division 2 by dropping a 2-0 decision to Hollis, who were just relegated from Division 1.

DEA gave up a goal in the opening moments of the game when John Jaworski stumbled upon Jose Freitas' direct restart at the bank post.  Jaworski volleyed home from close range and DEA was down a goal before the smoke had faded from the pre-game fireworks display.

After getting their legs under them, DEA played better but they were too impatient to attack with any real conviction.  After stringing 2-3 passes together, they abandonded their play and looked for the home run too often.  By stretching the defense, they created large gaps in the midfield where there were open players....but no action around them.   Hollis played very strong in the back, with Tomas Santos brilliantly sweeping any action away and started most of their attack with small balls from the backfield.

Jaworski netted an insurance tally with 15 minutes left.  DEA keeper Jim Eilenberger made an outstanding save of a Shane Humphreys drive to keep it close late.

Everyone is off next week due to the Labor Day Holiday.  There will be a Thursday training session at Sportsman's at 8:00.