Hat trick by Alan, Raymond's goal gives 6th/7th grade win

It was a familiar beginning for the 6th/7th graders, with Garrick facing a penalty kick and the score 0-0. 

This time, Garrick made the big save and kept the game scoreless.

The team then took that momentum and put together their best performance of the season and won 4-1 for their third win of the year.

Ryan Kwong picked up a ball at midfield, raced up and booted it towards the box where Alan was able to corral it and score the first goal of the game.

But just as quickly as they scored the goal, they gave one right back up when two defenders didn't communicate and collided with each other, freeing up the other team's forward for a clean look at a shot  which he put past Garrick.

Right before halftime, Oscar did almost the exact same thing Ryan did, send a ball from midfield towards the box. A shot was taken which appeared to be a handball, but the referee did not make a call. Everybody on the field stopped even though a whistle hadn't blown. But luckily Alan had enough awareness to continue play, and he scored his second goal of the game to make it 2-1 at the break.

Off a Joseph throw-in, Thomas dribbled the ball down the sidelines into the attack zone. He had the ball taken away from him briefly but Raymond pounced on the ball, took a dribble and kicked one into the net for his first goal of the season to make it 3-0. It was Raymond's second career goal.

Thomas had a golden opportunity in the 4th quarter when he was literally a foot away from the goalie and about three feet away from the goal. Instead of gently tapping it by the goalie, he tried to lift it over the goalie's head. He did just that, but the ball also sailed over the goalpost.

But in a dominating win, the team can laugh at things like this. It was the team's most rewarding and complete game so far this season.

From top to bottom, everybody contributed from the forward, to mid-fielders and to the defense.

At (3-0-1), they have also positioned themselves nicely for a playoff spot.

Alan has scored in every official game this season, and leads the team with five goals. He completed his hat trick minutes after Raymond's goal when the defense cleared the ball off their own defender. Alan collected the ball and then calmly booted it past the goalie.