Firecrackers Explode and Win Championship!!

Sage's indoor soccer team had an excellent season, earning a second seed in the tournament with a 6-1-1 record. It had been exciting, but nothing compared to what happened on Saturday. As the second seed, the Sudbury Firecrackers started off with a match against the seventh seed, Acton-Boxboro Jedi. The force was not with the smaller Jedi team as Sage's team rolled to a 3-1 win in a game that was not as close as the score indicated. Sage played some goal and assisted on two of the scores. After waiting 30 minutes, Sage next played a energetic 6th seed in the Concord Patriots. The Patriots had just upset the other Sudbury team (3rd seed), 2-1 in a wild game. Their goalie was incredible, but the Firecrackers managed to get a lone goal and escape with a 1-0 victory. There was no rest for the Firecrackers before the championship game with the Stowe Red Hawks. Stowe had steam rolled the league, posting an 8-0 record. Earlier in the year they had dealt the Firecrackers their only loss in a 8-4 drubbing. Stowe mauled their first two opponents 7-0 and 5-1 and they did get a 30 minute rest before the game started. Our girls were tired, but excited. Stowe came out strong and confused our defense into scoring on our own goal. Not a good way to start. Another quick goal upped their lead to 2-0. Time was getting low when Sage's best friend Amelia finally got Sudbury on the board. Her shot arched over the goalie, but dropped under the crossbar and into the net. It was as pretty a rainbow as you will ever see. Stowe keep pressing on offense, but our goalie denied them again and again with beautiful saves. With time now approaching 4 minutes, Sage decided to move herself into a striker position. It paid off as she was able to collect a loose ball dribble by a defender moving right across the top of the goal box. She fired towards the left corner of the goal just as she collided with a Stowe defender. The collision sent her tumbling, but it did not matter as the ball found the corner! Sage never saw the ball go in and had to be told by one of her teammates that she had scored. Now 2-2 and under 4 minutes to play, we had a new game. Sage continue to play striker and got a second opportunity with the ball with one minute to go. This time she beat two Stowe players and fired for the right corner from ten yards out. The ball whistled past the goalie and Sudbury had their first lead. By this time, the parent's section was going a bit crazy. The bleachers were shaking and it was getting loud. Coach then dropped Sage back to play defense. One last run by Stowe ended when Sage took the ball away and blasted into the other end. Time ran out and the celebration ensued. The girls ran screaming and piled into each other. Tears streamed from both sides, but for obviously different reason. The players were presented with huge trophies and declared champions! Sage is still glowing from the day. She has decided that she really likes winning.