DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA sloshed their way through an entertaining, if not artful, 1-1 draw with Seacoast today. Some recent rains took their toll on the Phillips-Exeter Academy pitch, with some standing water and mudpatches to contend with. Seacoast, going downhill (literally) in the scoreless first half, held the better of the play and had a majority of the chances. Twice, Seacoast rattled the post, but nothing could get by DEA keeper Lucas Hill. The defensive combo of Chris Florek and Tom Labonville (making his O-30's debut) were outstanding in clogging the middle and keeping the chances on the outside. This was not a soccer match in the purest form. It was like running in sand out there, and DEA hoped the second half and the downhill slant would be kind to them. Instead, five minutes into it a scramble left a bill sitting flat 22 yards from goal. Seacoast drive through and screamed a hard drive into the upper corner that Lucas had no chance on. DEA would have to come back if they wanted to secure some very vital points. Elvis Zukovic decided twice to test Seacoast keeper Jim Eilenberger, and both times 'Berg was up to the task. Once more, a through ball by Ryan Carvalho almost sprung Kurt Englehart, but again 'Berg swalled up a faceful of mud and made the save. With 15 minutes to spare, DEA finally brought the match back to level. After Rob Cissel was sent to the pitch, Chris Florek sprung Mike Fiedin on the right side. Fiedin crossed, where Carvalho pestered the new Seacoast keeper who was just brought in to close the match. The clearance went virtually nowhere, and instead fell to the feet of a wide-open Gary DuPlessis. DuPlessis volleyed home the equalizer. Seacoast came right back, streaming down the pitch with numbers and forcing Lucas into two fine saves while wallowing in the mud. Jon Cloutier had to clear off the line before DEA could finally get their wits about them. The last five minutes were all DEA as they went in search of the winner. Their best chance was when Labonville went down to meet a cross, but headed just over the bar. Overall, probably a fair result at 1-1, but DEA felt they had a good chance to steal the full three points. The 3rd half was a collossal battle, as it went past 1:30 and going to the nose once before finally outlasting the thirsty Seacoast squad. They are back in action next week against 1-1 Pepperell, who through up a seven-spot in their win against Hollis last week before being swamped by Stoneham, 4-1 today.