Rain, some players love playing it, but if you’re like me you despise it to its very core. The ball gets slippery, cuts are sloppy and you can’t make a god damn dodge work for you if you stood still and took that first step. After experiencing a good stretch of 90-100 degree days Mother Nature finally took some frustration out on us and decided it was time for some rain…NOOOOO! Despite the conditions, we got some great action in!

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In game one we had a matchup between the Crabs and the Runaway Train squads. The game started out at a slower pace than the past few weeks (maybe in sync with the clouds rolling in?) but then got off to a lightning pace for the Crabs.

With a slew of Colgate talent dominating the offensive zone for the Crabs, Baum and company got going quick, sticking 2 to the keeper midway through the 1^st Half, but the Train wouldn’t be unheard. With a solid clearing game in place the Train got some good looks from the top of the box, and fantastic movement by the attack to put together two of their own before we reached half with the Crabs up 5-2.

As we opened up action in the second half we noticed exactly what the Train still needs to work on: transition defense. With any building program, or in this case, summer squad, it takes a while to get everyone clicking on all cylinders for the first few weeks.

The Crabs tacked on a quick 3 in the first few minutes and left Runaway trying to work up a head of steam to make a quick comeback campaign. After tacking one more off a lazer from goal line extended the jets were cooled and the Crabs walked away with the W, taking the contest 10-3.

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Our second matchup put together the lights out Stag Beatles and the seasoned North Shore team. As the clouds rolled in, and a drizzle began to form, both teams took to the field prepared for some eventual slippery turf. For this game I had to put down the pen and paper and pick up my camera to get some great action shots of both squads.

For those of you who haven’t been following the Ctown 8’s…the Stags are a mishmash of D1, D2 and D3 talent that is absolutely incredible to watch. We’re talking kids from SNHU, Keene State, UMass and others that bring their experience with their talented programs together to create some Top 10 Play’s worthy stuff.

As the game got underway we saw North Shore grab first blood, and then twisted the blade with a quick 2. The Stags didn’t take long to bounce back as they launched an absolute assault on the North Shore keeper, putting up 7 in the first half of play! We ran into the half at 7-2, North Shore discussion exactly what they were missing so that they could come back out strong and gain back some territory.

After opening the second half the rain started to break, and play got a little sloppy, but both teams managed to tally a few extra before the wrath of an ocean storm showed up and started shooting some lightning down on us, forcing an early decision. The Stags walked away with this one with a 10-4 victory, but that’s not to say that North Shore wasn’t started to click on offense, getting some good takes and shots off…they just might have had a comeback brewing!

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With the storm raging we had to postpone our matchup between the Play Ball All-Stars and the Peter North Stars, which was promising to be a great matchup! Next week we are looking at some powerhouse games, so be sure to get out here and see how the next few weeks unfold, leading up to the 2012 Championships! 

Be sure to get in some good recovery, adjust any pesky shooting strings and as always: keep fighting the good fight.

-Patrick Hopkins