DEA Bedford Over 30

The Bedford Pacers finished the second leg of the season with a 2-0-3 record. This, coupled with their atrocious 1-4 start, gives them enough points to finish solidly in the middle of the pack. No reason to worry about being relegated...but certainly not a threat to move up to Division 1. They showed they have a fighting spirit with their play over the last 5 weeks. Matched with Westford to finish the season, they would battle to a 2-2 draw. Always a competitive match when the Pacers show with a full squad, each side held the lead at different times before the final whistle. Westford got on the board in the first 10 minutes off a clean breakaway. Bedford started horribly and Westford really took it to them. Not long after going down by a goal, Chris Laberge was unceremoniously chopped in the box and was awarded a PK. He did not dissapoint by slamming home a right-footer to level the match. Not long after, a scramble off a corner kick sent Pacer Keeper Chris Cloutier sprawling on his back. The ball rattled off the crossbar, off Pacer Defender Rich Powlowsky's head, off the crossbar again, cleared by Powlowsky again...and off the crossbar yet again before being cleared. That's two saves by Powlowsky...and two my the crossbar. Halftime would come with the match still level. The Pacers went ahead early in the second on a play started by a beautiful ball by Dale Dubois. After Chris Florek settled, he found Laberge inside the area. Laberge's neat dish slipped to Scott Sharby, who ripped home the go ahead goal, giving the Pacers a 2-1 lead. Not to be outdone, Westford came storming back and slammed another off the post...then knocked the rebound off the crossbar again. Soon after, another scramble resulted in two more clears off the line by Powlowsky. If you are keeping score at home, that's 5 saves by the woodwork and 4 by Powlowsky. Cloutier was seemlingly just sitting in his lawnchair taking in some sun. Westford finally brought the match to even-up with under 10 minutes left. Both teams had chances to go ahead in the waning moments, with Cloutier finally getting in the action by tipping away a curling drive that had side webbing written all over it. After a rather ugly start to the season, this turned out to be a good session overall. The Pacers learned how to play with the personnel presented. Look for a strong showing next Spring. Also, check back to see who won the Season Awards. Voting is due soon.