Senior Day.. The Bomb Squad

Bomb squad senior night. Never thought I’d really have to utter those words. Having always been in that line cheering on my upperclassmen, it would be our turn to get the chance in the limelight, with flowers, surrounded by family and friends to celebrate our last game on legendary Stevenson field.

 But before getting to that moment we had to battle through an intense week of practice. Coming off a tough 1-1 tie with Penn, legs were still tired and minds foggy when the 6am bell rang for practice Tuesday morning. As I was walking up with the Egyptian prince Tariq Akeel he asked the chances we run today. I looked at him and said of course I don’t want to run but it wouldn’t be a BMS Tuesday if we didn’t. 

Low and behold after warmup and chippy 5v5 keep away we were on the line for a 20 minute pride run. After which we played a full 11 aside match with first team all- fitness member CROD still having the energy to make full field right mid field streaks after vocally challenging Tariq and speedy, bowlegged dtdanieltaylor to catch him during the fitness. With somewhat heavy legs during the week, we battled through 3 more intense practices that included a lot of tough but enjoyable short sided transition games (5-4 then 4-3 type style).

Fast forward to game time. Standing on the side of the field with my mom and pop who’d flown 300 miles on a red to see my last game on Stevenson was surreal. It was one of those rare moments where you are really forced to stop and take everything you’ve done into context. Two NCAA tournament appearances, and ivy league ring, the battle with penn in the tundra in 2011, multiple sub-freezing wall runs, and enough yelling of ‘LETS GO BOYS’ to damage the vocal chords of Taylor Swift (Shout out to Dylan Remick). After an emotional moment it was time to switch to game-mode. 

We came out strong stringing passes, taking shots and chipping long balls when needed in true BMS fashion. Sometimes we were a little too casual but either way the game was in a deadlock 0-0 at halftime. The tying goal would be one of the more ridiculous of the year. After a long pass by Gorab was sent to their goalie, will decided to give chase and pressure. The goalie who hesitated between bombing it and cutting the ball shanked it right to Mr. Maurey who hit a first time shot towards the goal. Ben will argue it was dipping in but either way the “quickly rising” (to say it nicely) shot was deflected by the bumbling keeper perfectly over a retreating defender and into the net. 1-0 Brown. After a quick selfie on the sideline and 15 more minutes of play we had officially won our last game on Stevenson, with a 1-0 shutout.  How appropriate.

Thank you to all who have supported us at home this year and in the past. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Sincerely,

Markes