Team Lowell, 2009 Photo Courtesy of Michael Endicott

 Boxer Stadium, 11/3/09:  The better team did not advance.  But the more opportunistic one did.  A misplayed ball in Lowell’s defensive third led to an easy Mission score within the first 15 seconds of the game.  Mission 1, Lowell 0.  For the next 79:45, the score would not change.

The game began auspiciously when Lowell starter Jesus Sanchez was unable to get out of class and missed the whole first half.  Nevertheless, Lowell held a shot advantage.  The second half was dominated by Lowell with consistent runs at the Bear defense by forwards Safa Mannah and Anthony Clay which were the result of excellent support by midfielders Camreon BaSaing, Carlos Valadez, Leo Harrington, Jono Loeser, Jesus Sanchez, Avery Fisher and Max Pollard.  A disciplined, well organized back line of Zack Deutsch-Gross, Penn Scoble, Julian Enis, Brian Esterle and Sam Pollack thwarted any mischivieous  Bears.

Two second half goals were nullified - one the result of a hand ball, the other more controversial.  A goal was awarded by the center ref but the linesman had ruled the ball out of bounds before the goal was scored.  Jesus Sanchez disagreed with the ref a little too disagreeably and was ejected from the game.  Lowell was forced to play the next 20 minutes down a player.  Even so, the second half would end with Lowell out shooting its opponent by a 3-1 margin.  

While the play of goalie Shane McCarthy was outstanding, exciting and inspired, the play of Missions’ goalie was beyond superlatives.  The only part of his uniform missing was  his super hero cape!  

Lowell finished the season 13-3-1 with 71 goals, 17 more than the next best team in all of AAA.  Safa Mannah was the Cards’ leading scorer with 15.  Clay and Sanchez were tied for second with 11 apiece.  Sixteen players scored for the Cards, the most balanced attack in the league.