Bolts vs. NE Revs - April 4, 2009

It was a great weekend for both Academy teams, with 4 wins in 4 games. On Saturday April 4th both Academy teams got the opportunity to play in one of the most recognizable sporting venues in the US - Gillette Stadium.

The 16s took the field first at noon time against the NE Revs. The first half was physical and exciting and at the half the score was 0-0. At the 60th minute, Leon Brown was on the receiving end of a beautiful free kick from Mike Miele and it was only the goalie between him and putting the 16s up a goal. Leon didn't disappoint and chipped the goalie just before the goalie crashed into him and the 16s had the lead 1-0. The 16s continued to pressure the Revs through the remainder of the game, controlling the game through the midfield, while their back 4 prevented any real threats by the Revs, insuring the win.

At 2PM the 18s took the field looking to avenge a 2-1 loss the first time they met the Revs on March 15th. It didn't take long before the 18s put the Revs on their heels though. At the 19th minute, Christian Rodriguez buried the ball into the back of the net with one of his patented left-footed bombs, and the 18s were up 1-0. That goal had the 18s fired up!! Sixteen minutes later, Charlie Rugg muscled his way through the two center backs and the score was now 2-0 Bolts.

Nine minutes later, Charlie did it again and when the half ended the 18s were up 3-0. There was a delay in starting the second half after a strong gust of wind blew the side boards onto the field and the Gillette Stadium ground crew were called into action to remove the boards from the players side of the field. The Revs came out strong in the second half within 11 minutes, the score was 3-2!!

The 18s then pressed into action, coming out of their early 2nd half funk within minutes of the Revs second goal, one of the Revs defenders tripped Charlie Rugg in the box. While we didn't convert on the PK, it didn't take long before the Revs tripped Charlie again in the box and this time Christian Rodriguez converted on the PK and gave the 18s an insurance goal at 65th minute.

After that, the back line of Tim James, Scott Prozeller, Brendan Caslin, and Kaeghan Kelly made sure that the Revs weren't going to have chance at getting through to keeper Ciaran Nugent for the next 30 minutes (25 regulation plus 5 minutes of stoppage time). The game ended with the Bolts on top 4-2!!

Both the 16s and the 18s enjoyed their first visit to Gillette!!