DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA continued their upward climb in the standings, winning their third straight by thrashing Hollis 7-1. Ryan Carvalho was the star of the day, pouring in four goals and chipping in with one assist. DEA has now taken points in four straight games, and is right on the heels of current leaders Seacoast. With the latest monsoon upon us, DEA was again forced indoors at the Hampshire Dome. Winless in three attempts at this facility, DEA also had a 7-3 whipping at the hands of Hollis on their minds in their last match against them at the Dome. This time, they turned the tables in a big way. Hollis has been struggling this year, winless in their previous four matches and giving up 21 goals in the process. However, they pulled out all the stops in an attempt to try to stop the bleeding, stocking their bench. DEA had to scrape to get players ready, and started with just enough. With regular DEA keeper Lucas Hill missing out, they called up backup Chris Cloutier. He was up to the task, making a couple of great saves in the first half that allowed DEA to play with some confidence. Hollis possessed to start, and while the chances were at the outside, a majority of the play was in the DEA zone. With ten minutes gone, a cross allowed Fritz Shenk to drive a header at goal from short range, but Cloutier got down and parried it off the post where it was cleared from harm's way. DEA then went right to work to gain the advantage. Willie Mungere found Ryan Carvalho on the right side looking to go clear. Ryan skated at goal, and initially looked to pass before driving to the short side and in to give DEA the lead. Five minutes later, a similar play again found Ryan open from 25 yards out. He scorched another drive, and DEA had taken a 2-0 lead. Hollis continued to play patient, and DEA defended with just as much patience. Content to let them play on the outside, they clamped down in the middle. After winning the ball, DEA attacked in waves. Another Carvalho chance, this one a header, went off the crossbar as time ticked down. Cloutier then made another great save. Again Shenk got clear on a cross, and volleyed a short drive from 8 yards that Cloutier punched over the bar. DEA went into the half up by 2-0, and playing with confidence. Knowing the first ten minutes would be huge, DEA came right at Hollis. After Willie Davis stole an outless pass, he fed to Mungere. Willie saw Carvalho, again open on the right side, and fed him through. Ryan was on fire today, and he finished easily to make it 3-0. Not five minutes later, Ryan this time gave it up to Barry Fitzgerald who ripped a low shot to put DEA up by four. DEA kept the pressure on. As Hollis just tried long balls, DEA contently picked them apart. Again Ryan was put in clean, this time off a Chris Laberge pass, and once again he finished easily for his fourth of the day for a 5-0 lead. Hollis would pull one back when Fritz was put in clean on a questionable off-sides play. Cloutier made the initial save, but the rebound was batted around before finally making it through to mess with the shutout. Not to be outdone, Laberge ensured he kept his lead in the goal scoring race by curling a brilliant restart inside the far post for a 6-1 margin. Chris Jones and Barry (his 2nd) teamed up in the final seconds for the 7-1 final. A huge overall effort by DEA. Jerold White and Willie Davis teamed to play an impressive midfield. The backfield of Laberge, Chris Florek, Jones, Peter Cline and Jon Cloutier were outstanding all day. Great ball possession, attacking defenders with quickness, and some solid goaltending by Cloutier allowed DEA to run away with this one. DEA now goes to 3-1-1 on the year and rising to second place behind Seacoast, whom they tied earlier in the year. Seacoast was 5-3 winners against Stoneham earlier in the day. DEA travels to Stoneham next Sunday looking for more revenge. DEA has never beaten Stoneham, and the team doesn't hold a particularly warm spot in DEA's hearts. Look for the solid play to continue.