DEA Bedford Masters 2

The DEA Masters, coming off a nearly perfect record, going 9-0-1 in the regular season and sweeping the playoffs, announced its season end awards last night.  This was a truly amazing season for DEA.  They have climbed out of the Division 7 pit and are headed for the top.  The key to DEA success this season was the team commitment.   There were no games with less than 5 substitutes and some games with as many at 10.  The quality of play has improved tremendously also.  We all look forward to the Spring season as DEA has moved up into division 6.

The 2005 Fall Season Awards are as follows:

Top Goal Scorer:  Stan Wisneiwski with 8 goals.  Stan has the knack to be in the right place at the right time.  Ironically enough he had the most offsides penalties also...

Offensive Player of the Year:  This was a tough one because all of the offense was so good this year.  Scoring a total of 39 goals in 10 games is an all time DEA NEOTHSL record.  The award was given to Jeff Guild.  Jeff had 5 goals and 3 Assists this year and any time he was in the game he was an offensive force.

Midfielder of the Year:   Another tough one.  Our midfield controlled the tempo of all the games.  With his 7 Goals and 6 Assists and showing up for every single game, the award had to go to our Captain,  Jim McCall.  Jim has true leadership on and off the field and is a key to DEA success.

Defender of the Year:  The DEA Masters defense was tops in our division and probably the entire league.  Giving up only 10 goals in 10 games which was our divisions best and nearly the league best, the defense was exceptional.  The award goes to the leader of this pack, our sweeper, Mitch Green.  Mitch has the ability to track down any striker that dares to slip through the back three.  Great job by all the defense this year.

Goal Keeper of the Year:  We had three keepers during the year and playoffs and they all were exceptional as can be shown by the record setting 10 goals against.  However, we need to give this award to the guy who got us to the Championship, Jim Goddard.  Jim played exceptional throughout the year.  Playing in 8 of 10 regular season games had a goal save percentage of 92.3%.  Great Job.

Rookie of the Year:  This was a very hard choice as we had so many new quality players join this season.  The award goes to Nick Masci.  Nick's speed, ball control and work ethic was amazing and caused many a nightmare for opposing defenders.  Nick's presence was always felt when he was on the field.

Defensive "Striker" Award:  This award is given to the defender who plays his position well and still manages to get a few shots off or even a goal.  Ray Luscinski won this award hands down.  Ray had numerous shots at the goal, over the goal, into the woods, did much tree and property damage and ended up with 3 goals of his own.  All of this offensive power without sacrificing his rock solid defense at his stopper position.  Great job Ray!

Goal of the Year:  We had a lot of sweet goals in the 39 that we scored.  However, the Goal of the Year award goes to George Wegricht for his game winning goal in the semi-final match in overtime against the Canary Square Veterans.  George Blasted the shot to the near side to win the match and send DEA to the finals.

Save of the Year:  No Question about this one either.  It goes to John Morin for his whole performance in the Finals against the Marion-Mariner United team.  John, a long time DEA veteran keeper had retired from this position years ago after many injuries.  When he learned that both our other keepers were going to miss the final game, he said, "Bring the goalie gloves."  John played excellent throughout the finals and saved the 7th PK in the shoot out to win the Championship for DEA.  

Lou Gehrig Award:  This award is given to the player who has played in every match.  This year with the great commitment we had multiple winners of the award.  We also had many players that made all but one game.  Great commitment by all the DEA team.  The Lou Gehrig award is shared by:  Jim McCall, Mitch Green, John Morin and Stan Wisneiwski.

Bad Boy of the Year Award:  This award is usually given to Paul Cote each year, I mean the guy who has the most card points each year.  DEA was only officially charged with three card points on the year(which is really unbelievable) and they all went to seperate players.  Although it is not incouraged to win this award, sometimes it is necessary to express your opinion or establish your territory on the pitch.  The award this year, which I am sure they will fight over who gets the biggest piece,  will be split between Mark Major, Dan Roberge and Mark Ilaria.  I think Paul Cote got a yellow card in the one game he played when we tied Lexington.  I remember him knocking someone on their rear following a call...  Anyway.. 

I hope you all enjoyed the season as much as I did.  I look forward to the Spring season in the new division.  Stay in shape over the winter months...  Ray, let us know when the next party is.  For those who didn't go... Navy crushed Army... and  Masci and Kellogg's team won the half time football game.    Championship hats from the league and Championship Sweatshirts from our sponsor were handed out.  If you haven't received one yet, send me an email...

GREAT SEASON DEA MASTERS -  CHAMPIONS

"We are in the finals and we have no keeper!!!"  This was the squabble the week before Finals Sunday.  DEA's regular net minder, Jim Goddard,  was off to the west coast and Jim Kellogg, the backup goalie,  was gone for the weekend also.  DEA was fresh out of Jim's.  So they would turn to a John.  The legendary keeper, John Morin, whos resume dates back to the Middle East Airlines team with Victor, would come out of retirement for this important show down.  DEA was now able to go into this game with confidence.   

The DEA Bedford Masters finished the regular season with an undefeated 9-0-1 record to earn them the Northern Division Championship.  They went on to defeat the Canary Square Veterans to advance the finals.  On the other side, the Marion-Mariner United team finished their season with an 8-0-2 record and the Southern Division Championship.  They went on to defeat Lynnfield in the semi finals.  So the stage was set.  Two undefeated teams going for the hardware.   The finals this year were being held on the turf fields at Lincoln Park in Lexington, MA.  A very nice facility and 100 times better than the Stoneham fields that used to host the finals. 

DEA would win the toss and pick the south side of the field to avoid the sun.  However, there was a slight wind blowing towards the Bedford end.     DEA took control of the game from the opening kick off making some nice one touch passing.  Jim McCall and John Valickus controlled the central mid and Nick Masci and John Guild kept things wide at outside mid with help from Dan Roberge.  George Wegricht and Jeff Guild started things off up top with Stan Wisniewski and Bill Jean rotating in.  You could see from the start, that the Marion team was used to sending guys in with long through passes as they parked their strikers at the DEA defensive line.   I am sure that this worked well with most teams in their division, but,  Mitch Green and Ray Luscinski would have no part of this.  They controlled the DEA defense, as they continued to shut down any attacks.  David Poole, Doug Wolfe, Sean Kelly and Rick Plichta  would all contribute to what would be an excellent defensive game for DEA.   

DEA would get on the board first as John Valickus, who had a tremendous game,  would feed Jeff Guild outside to the left.  Brother Johnnie "red heat" Guild would make an overlapping run.  Jeff would find his Brother and John would rip a low and hard left footer past the diving Marion keeper.  DEA had the all important first goal.  This seemed to spark the Marion side however.  They would turn things around, as if DEA went to sleep, and control the ball for the next 20 minutes.  It seemed like DEA was locked in their own end.  John Morin would be forced to make a few key saves to keep the Mariners off the board.  Morin would launch some beautiful punts, that he was always known for, to put DEA back on the offensive.  The Marion defence were very good at pulling an offsides trap and continued to catch DEA with the help of the linesmen.  DEA would head into the half with the lead and now would have the wind to their backs.

The second half would be different as DEA would regain control of the game.  The midfield would put more pressure on the Marion squad and force the play more.  Nick Masci would make some excellent runs down the right side and turn the ball into the middle for some great DEA chances.  Nick would cause havic for the Mariners the rest of the game. 

The Mariners would knot the score at one apiece on a broken play about 20 minutes in.  The ball would be knocked out for a corner kick on the DEA side.  Marion would launch one in and it would be awkwardly cleared by DEA.  The Marion midfielder would collect the ball and hit a shot that deflected off two players and into the DEA net.  This was tough as the Marion team seemed to have the momentum..

About mid way through the second half, Marion would pull an off side trap and would catch Stan dead offsides.  However, Jeff Guild had the ball at his feet and continued to dribble past the defenders who stood looking at the linesman waiting for the call.  Jeff Guild wisely kept the ball and headed straight for the goal avoiding passing to an offsides player.    The keeper would come out and Jeff would fire the ball low past him.  The ball would just miss the left upright.  Both sides would continue to fight to break the tie to avoid going to PK's.  The finals are set up with no overtime periods.  In the event of a tie, the teams go straight to PK's.

It would be Marions turn to bring the crowd to its feet.  The ball would be worked down inside the DEA third.  A nice Mariner pass would find the striker alone.  His shot would ring off the right upright of the goal and come straight out.  Each team would press hard for the final 5 minutes but the whistle would blow.   We would now head to the stripe.

DEA picked its first 5 as did Marion.  DEA won the toss and would shoot first.  DEA would make its first two PK's and so  would the Mariners.  DEA would miss its third.  The Marion PK would ring off the right post so we were still tied after 3 shooters.  DEA would make its next and so would Marion.  The Fifth shot would go in for DEA and John would just miss the Mariner shot.  Still tied after 5.  Now it was sudden death, one for one.  Ray Luscinski would volinteer for the first shot.  He would hammer a low one right under the diving keeper.  Marions PK would go in right as Johnnie guessed left.  Jeff Guild was up next.  He would hammer his into the left corner.  John Morin would set for the Marion shot.  The PK was struck and John dove to his left to make the save and give DEA the Championship.

A great game on both sides.  This playoff game could have easily have been the D2 or even D1 playoff game if you didn't know.  The Marion team is a very good team and it was a pleasure playing them.  I am sure we will cross paths again soon....  Like in the D6 playoffs in the spring.

A very good game DEA.  Congratulations to all the DEA team on a great Playoff series and a great season.

Next event is the Army - Navy game at Ray's house on December 3rd....  Go NAVY !!!

DEA Bedford Masters will take on the Southern champion, Marion-Mariner United squad tomorrow, Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 10:00 AM in Lexington, MA for the Division 7N finals. DEA finished their season with an impressive 9-0-1 regular season record to take the northern division championship. DEA went on to beat the southern runner up, Canary Square Veterans, 3-2 in overtime to advance to the finals. Equally impressive was the Marion-Mariner United, who boasted a 8-0-2 record to clinch the southern division championship. The Mariners went on to defeat Lynnfield in the semi's 2-0. This should prove to be a great matchup... Come early to get a good seat.... GO DEA !!!!!!!!!!

As everyone predicted, the showdown of the top 4 teams in division 7 would be battle. It is clear from their regular season records that the top two teams in both the North and South of Division 7 should be moved up and out of this division. The dinosaurs that run the league, however, are allergic to any type of change. DEA Bedford, who topped the north with a 9-0-1 record and a +29 goal differential would take on the 2nd place finisher of the south. The Canary Square Veterans came to play this morning after their long ride from Jamaica Plains. The Canary Square Squad had an impressive 7-2-1 record with a +24 goal differential of their own. This was sure to be a match. Bedford would be missing their regular keeper for this match, but Jim Kellogg stepped up as he has done in the past and stood between the pipes. Canary Square would have 12 to start and would eventually get up to 15 players. After watching a juggling display in front of the Bedford bench, by what turned out to be a Canary fan... the game was under way. Bedford came out strong and controlled the tempo of the game early on. The Canary Square team seemed to be a little lost on the large pitch and tried to force the play inside. Bedford refused to give into this type of play and continued to keep the ball outside and use the full width of Sportsmans Field. Bedford would get a few chances early on in the match but shots would go wide. The strategy was to lure the speedy Canary sweeper, one of the two Zanini brothers, out of the middle to the outsides. This would work well for Bedford, who would continue to control the tempo of the half but there was no score. Jim Kellogg would make a couple of saves to keep things level. Things got a little chippy with the Canary striker, Louis Diaz, as he tried to run Kellogg but Jim remained calm. About 35 minutes into the first half, Bedford would drive the ball down the right side to the corner that would be knocked over the touch line for a corner kick. John Morin would line up to take the corner kick. John would hit a long cross that was toward the outside of the eighteen to the head of John Valickus, at center mid. Johnnie V would send a nice header in to Nick Masci who in turn would head it passed the keeper to put Bedford on the board. Bedford would continue to press for the all important insurance tally but could not find the net. In the mean time, Mitch Green and Ray Luscinski controlled the DEA backfield. The half would end with DEA up 1-0. The Canary Crew would come out stronger in the second half of play. Bedford lade off and allowed them to control the ball for a 15 minute stretch of time. Jim Kellogg would come up with some key saves to keep DEA up by one. Kellogg would also launch some very impressive 60 plus yard punts to put Bedford on the counter. It would be Canary, however, who would counter on a nice through ball. The Canary Striker would hit a right footed outside bender that would just find the right side of the net. A great strike that would level the match and temporarily swing the momentum to Canary. Bedford would really push to find the winning goal towards the end. Stan W. and Johnnie V. both had good shots go wide right and George would head a ball off the upper cross bar that was denied. Regular time would end in a tie 1-1. On to sudden death overtime. DEA's GM was on hand and gave some words of wisdom... and contract threats... to the team... and drew out a plan in the sand. From the opening kickoff the plan worked .. The ball was knocked out to Jeff Guild on the left. Jeff would bring it down the side and launch a cross to George W. in the middle. George could not get position on it and had to head it back to John Valickus and his shot would go wide. On to plan "B". Bedford was really pressing to get the winner but was left open for a counter attack. Canary would counter and Mitch would have a foot race. The Canary striker would hit a hard left footed drive just wide of the goal.... Now DEA would build an attack. This time it was it was worked up though the back to Jeff Guild. Jeff would find Nick Masci in the middle. Nick would beat a defender and have a clean look at the goal.. Nick would hammer a screaming shot off the keeper. The ball would rebound out towards the right of the goal. George Wegricht would see the opportunity and slam an outside of the foot shot into the right side of the net for the winner. A GREAT win for DEA. A very well played game all around on both sides. It was a pleasure to play such a talented team. There is no reason that this team should remain in Division 7. But this is a fight for another day... DEA Bedford now goes to the finals. The Finals will be held in Lexington, MA this year on the turf fields. They will be on Saturday or Sunday... For some reason it is a big secret which day we all will play..... Hopefully we will know before the game... More to follow.. GREAT WIN DEA..... The GM is pleased......

Remember also that we have a game Sunday at 10 am most likely at Sportsmans field if we beat or tie Lynnfield...