DEA Bedford Over 30

Due to DEA's failure to produce a full squad to take on Southern Conference Champion South Boston Bohemians, the season is officially over for DEA. On balance, this was DEA's best season since the famous battles with Hollis in the Spring '03 season. DEA narrowly missed advancing to Divsion 1, ending in a dead heat with Pepperell while going undefeated on the year at 5-0-5. Every game was a close battle, as DEA won their five games by a total of seven goals. Many of their games were decided past the 80th minute, showing their fighting spirit and superior fitness level. A rundown of their late game heroics: -Chris Laberge nodding home a season-opnening tying goal at Barley with 10 minutes left in the match, bringing DEA all the way back from a two-goal deficit on the road. -Jeff Bailey's emotional winner in the final minutes in Billerica's sandbox. -Dale Dubois outmuscled three players to get his head on Elvis Zukovic's perfectly placed corner kick just before the final whistle to knot a powerful Windham squad at 2-2. -Barry Fitzgerald unloading two bombs in the final ten minutes at Westford, traditionally DEA's Field of Horrors, en route to a big 3-1 road win. -Laberge and Bailey hooking up with only seconds left on a Friday Night Prime Time telecast for a 2-1 victory against Barley. -Scott Sharby closing out the scoring for the season with a leveller at Pepperell in the final match, ensuring a tie for first place. Not mentioned above, however, was Pepperell tying up DEA in Bedford in the final seconds on a controversial penalty kick. That call ending up costing DEA a trip to Division 1. (Yeah, I'm still pissed off, Dan Roberge.) Due to the games always being close, and DEA able to consistantly field a full, skillfull squad, this was the most enjoyable season in quite some time. With new pickups Barry Fitzgerald, Sonny Gagnon & Elvis Zukovic each playing in at least 7 games, DEA began to get more consistant play. The biggest new addition was keeper Lucas Hill. A seasoned DEA Summer League veteran who just reached 30 years old, Hill came as advertised. He went 4-0, with a 0.50 GAA. His game presence and his overall goalkeeping skills were the best in the league. He looks to have a bright future for the squad. Offensively, at times it was all Chris Laberge and Jeff Bailey. Bailey led the team with five goals (two game winners), while Laberge chipped in with three goals and three assists. Gary DuPlessis, scoreless all year, worked hard all over the pitch and his efforts cannot go unmentioned. Defensively, Chris Florek filled the middle of the pitch and emerged as DEA's sweeper for the future. Coupled with DEA Legend Dale Dubois, the tandem were rock solid all year. Several others pitched in on the wings, with John Demeritt & Jon Cloutier getting the most for their efforts. So, without further ado here are the post-season award winners: Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Laberge. Laberge eeked out the award over Jeff Bailey, a winner of the award multiple times. Laberge scored a couple of huge goals, and was in the mix on several others. The big man in the middle used his head, and his feet, in emerging as DEA's primary target up top. Both had a flair for the dramatic, and seemed to be at their best when time runs short. Laberge's header against Barley, with his car alarm going off, will be the stuff of lore for years to come. Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Florek. Flo won every first place vote en route to winning his first DPY award. He was a rock all year (literally and figuratively) as DEA allowed the second least amount of goals in their history, and the lowest total in six years. Goalie of the Year: Lucas Hill. Lucas ran a scoreless streak of almost 260 minutes as he took OTHSL by storm in his first year. The man knows how to put up a clean sheet, and makes it look easy in the process. Rookie of the Year: Elvis Zukovic. Elvis played steady in the middle of the pitch. Snakebit and playing without luck, he only had one assist but helped to create numerous others. Showing for nine games and being a consistant option won him some key votes. This was another extremely close vote, with Hill, Fitzgerald, Gagnon, Eli Krause, and Willie Davis all getting votes. Lou Gehrig Award (Playing in every match): Dubois and Florek. Flo also played every minute, while Dale only took a brief 10-minute break all year. Absolutely amazing! Save of the Year: Hill's fingertip save against Billerica after DEA took a late lead. When Billerica threw the kitchen sink at him, Hill saved the match. Ball Retrieval of the Year: Dale wading into the middle of The Pond at Sportsman on a balmy 35 degree night to fetch a ball. "Boy, that water's cold" said Dale. and, everyone's favorite... Goal of the Year: Willie Davis' 20-yard blast the opened the door for DEA against Windham. Just a ripper, this immediately turned the tide against the loaded Windham squad and allowed DEA to eventually go ahead. and, a bonus... Third Half of the Year: Shorty's after the Barley match. Now, THAT was a good time!! Great season everyone! Look for Spring Season updates, coming to your e-mail in early winter!! Keep up to date with DEA Indoor squad at: DEA Indoor