Our opponent was not only the toughest opponent we have faced this season, but arguably the most talented middle school team (with 9th graders, because their school goes through 9th grade) that I have seen in my 15 years of coaching the Boys Middle School Team. With soccer academy players from all over the globe, they were quite talented. I am so proud of how our boys competed, stepping up their game to compete against an opponent that was clearly faster, older, stronger, and more technical. We played our best game of the season, as the 6-2 defeat was in many ways an impressive result. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, we were down 5-2 and had a penalty kick. Although the shot hit the post and we could not convert the rebound, it was quite an achievement for our squad to be in a position to cut it to 5-3. Ultimately, IMS scored a 6th and final goal on a fantastic finish from nearly 20 yards out. Our two goalies played so well, as Daniel Rivera (Form 2) made a number of amazing saves in the first half, two in particular that were elite saves. Jackson Ramsey (Form 1) played his best game in net as well, and there was not a single goal scored by our opponent that could have been saved. In the back, Ryan Jo (Form 2) also had his best game of the season, and he needed to because our defense was busy all game. In the midfield, Alejandro Garza (Form 1) and Jeremiah Moyano (Upper Prep) were given the enormous task of trying to contain their talented midfielders, one of whom could step onto a varsity team in New England and contribute. They played very well, and worked as hard as they possibly could. Our first goal came on a phenomenal heads up play by Moyano on a direct kick. He saw that IMS was trying to organize a wall, and with the goalie off his line, he played quickly and stepped up to strike a 30 yard ball into the back of the net. In the 2nd half, we got a second goal off a great pass from Upper Prepper Bryce Schaller to Connor Morris (Form 1), who deftly tucked the ball just inside the left post. Every player on our team gave a great effort, and they would all agree that it was the best we played all season. Up next is the season finale, as we face Renbrook for a second time.