Their season came to a halt on their home field Monday with a 4-2 loss to the Rams of Old Saybrook High School. Leading for 70 of the 80 minutes of play the Bellringers could not put away the Rams. The Old Saybrook side did not give up and continually took it to the East Hampton side in the second half which seemed to lose their competitive spirit.
Jordan casey began the scoring in the first half but Old Saybrook would tie it up before the half and they would take a 1-1 tie into the break. The tide had begun to shift. Sophomore Jordan Casey would again score to give the Bellringers the lead but that would be it for the EHHS 11. Old Saybrook would tie it up and their aggression and shear will took over. Coach Boscarino shifted senior sweeper Nathaniel Heroux to forward to try and ignite the offense but it was too little too late. The defense could not cover for the move. 2 unanswered Old Saybrook goals would leave the final 4-2 and the Bellringers were on their way home.
It was a bleak end to a long and roller coaster season but a season that saw many things that spring up with young players. They were at times brilliant and often mediocre at best. The Bellringers had the skill but not the heart. Team sports is a lot more than skills, it is eleven players heading for a common objective. 10-4-1 is a good season in anyone's book but as the immortal John Wooden said " If you accept defeat, defeat will find you". Spirit and heart get a lot of lip service these days but as any coach will tell you they are both essential elements of a successful team. Too often we accept mediocrity instead of striving for excellence. I heard a parent say walking away from the field " it's only a soccer game". When you lose it's only a soccer game when you win it can be an event to cherish. It was a lot more to the 24 players that began their quest in August. They just forgot the way.
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The Bellringers had a good run but Old Saybrook obviously played harder and wanted it more. Good luck in the quater finals you deserve it!
