DEA Bedford Over 30

DEA couldn't get it done over the weekend, and will remain in Division 2 despite going undefeated all year. After the disapointing draw against Billerica on Friday night, DEA had their work cut out for them in Pepperell. Needing a win to claim the Division Title, DEA and Pepperell played to their second 2-2 draw of the year. Pepperell moves on by having a bigger goal differential. Starting with only nine players for this all-important match, Pepperell took it to DEA from the start. DEA knew players were en route, so they just needed to hang on while the reinforcements arrived. Pepperell kept DEA keeper Chris Cloutier busy in the opening five minutes, as he had to come up big with three saves to keep the sheet clean. Once DEA got their full numbers the play evened out a bit. The ref, however, had other plans. Pepperell striker John Leblanc, easily three yards behind DEA's defence, settled a through ball and slammed it home to give Pepperell an important lead. The ref pointed to Rich Powlowsky and advised Rich was keeping Leblanc onside....he just flat out blew the call. Minutes later, Pepperell put DEA in a huge hole by going up 2-0. This time, a scramble in front found Powlowsky again alone off the post. He slipped home a short shot to give Pepperell an important insurance tally. It was disapointing for Rich, playing with an injury and he was put in a tough position. Knowing they had to win the match, DEA looked and realized they had 75 minutes to score three goals, all the while keeping Pepperell silent for the rest of the match. Could they do it? With 15 minutes left in the first half, DEA finally got a break when Scott Sharby was hammered down in the box. Chris Laberge took the ensuing PK, whistling it by Pepperell keeper "Zeus". It would remain 2-1 at the half, but Laberge's goal gave DEA some life. The second half saw DEA dominate for long stretches, but unable to find the equalizer. Jeff Bailey at times took over the match, whistling a shot off the crossbar that fell harmlessly aside. Then, he too got taken down in the box by "Zeus". DEA looked to see what color card the ref was going to pull. Would it be a red? A yellow? Surely...at least a call? It was not to be, as the ref missed it completely and play kept going. "Unfortunate" is the how I am going to describe it...otherwise, there would be a string of explatives and this being a children's website and all..... With five minutes left, DEA finally got the equalizer. Chris Florek found Sharby just off the left post. Sharby sneaked home DEA's second goal, and now they could throw everybody up in the box and hope for a wild finish. With so many players forward, however, Pepperell broke down virtually unimpeded and forced Cloutier to make one more great save. Bailey found Laberge for a header, with "Zeus" again coming up big. The whistle blew, and DEA was left with another disapointing draw. DEA congratulates Pepperell on a solid season and their advancing to Division 1. Nobody proved they could beat DEA on the year, but the same could be said for Pepperell. That call by Dan Roberge in Week 5, allowing Pepperell to level DEA late, proved to cost DEA the season. This editor will never forget that misfortune. The way it looks right now, DEA will travel to Canton, Mass to take on the South Boston Bohemians. Sporting a 9-0 record and an ungoldly +31 goal differential, the Bohemians look to have a strong squad. Look for e-mail updates regarding the match. Postseason awards will be announced in the coming weeks. Great season DEA!