DEA Bedford Over 30

The Bedford Pacers still cannot get untracked, and left Lowell 1-0 losers on Sunday. The Pacers started horribly in the first half, with disjointed play and outnumbered defenders trying to mark too many players. Lowell broke through with their second shot. After a cross was sent to a wide-open player, his shot was horribly missed and actually went backward 10 yards. However, it was sent to another unmarked player who deposited it into the open net. The Pacers were fortunate to only be down by a goal at the half, as with bad play could have made it much worse. They picked up the play in the second half, totally dominating play. They held possession of the ball for about 80% of the time, with Marco Koolman quarterbacking multiple forays into Lowell's end. However, chance after chance would just miss their mark. John Guild, Rob Cissel, and Scott Sharby all had good opportunities that they did well with, but either posts, defenders, or some other evil force prevented their shots from breaking the pane. With play totally in Lowell's end, and all Pacer players pushing forward in search of the tying goal, Lowell did have a few chances against the run of play. Chris Cloutier had to come up big to keep the score close, and he responded well. Thankfully, he decided NOT to cut that big toe nail the night before, and he needed it with one save...getting just enough of a drive with his foot to send it over the bar. Pacer defenders Dale Dubois, Jon Cloutier, and Chris Floric all kept the heat on by preventing many opportunities from even leaving Lowell's end. However, on this day, the God's were against them. Lowell's one goal was enough to keep Bedford winless on the campaign. The Pacers are back in action next Sunday in Windham. Always a big game, this match has added importance as the Pacers NEED A WIN.

The Bedford Pacers couldn't hold on to a late 3-1 lead, and allowed Westford to come back and knot the match with a couple of late goals. The Pacers now stand 0-1-1 on the season. The Pacers dominated the first ten minutes of the game, and went ahead when Scott Sharby ripped an 18-yard blast off a Chris Laberge feed. Westford dominated the next 10 minutes, and knotted the match after a short corner kick and drive found the far side webbing past a screened Chris Cloutier in the Pacers' net. The Pacers would pick up the pace with the addition of some late arrivals. Sharby was fouled just outside the box creating a direct kick opportunity. Laberge had the honors, and his beautifully struck drive curled away from Westford's keeper and found the far corner. Pacers had their lead back at 2-1. The Pacers had a golden opportunity to get a two-goal cushion when George Wegricht linked up with Jon Cloutier. Jon's first instinct was to look for Laberge in the middle, but he instead turned, beat the sweeper, and had a step on the keeper. He was chopped down in the box, creating a penalty kick. Unfortunately, Sharby's PK attempt wasn't struck well, and plotted a course over the bar. The Pacers had a few more great opportunities to build on the lead before the halftime marker. Joe Correia's long cross to an open Jeff Guild was just awry, and Laberge's second direct kick (this time with his right foot) would bang off the crossbar. As time ran out in the first half, Westford's Graham Barrowman and Pacer's Rob Easton would bang head's, leaving both sprawled out on the pitch. Easton's head was split open, calling an end to the afternoon for him. The second half saw the game ebb and flow, with both sides managing to retain possession for great stretches. The Pacers would again create more opportunities, with Joe Correia and Jon Cloutier having the best chances for the insurance goal. Correia's open header would just slip by, and Jon Cloutier's semi-breakaway was stymied by Westford's keeper's toenail. Louie Correia would get the important insurance tally with a nicely taken 20-yard drive. Jon Cloutier and Laberge would get the helpers. As the match wore on past the 75-minute mark, Westford's constant pressure would start to pay off. First, Shane Kilmon dribbled through a maze of bodies to find himself with an open drive from 15 yards out. Pacer's Chris Cloutier would parry the shot over the bar, and the pressure was temporarily relieved. Temporarily relieved indeed, as their continued problems on corner kicks would haunt them again. Graham found himself unmarked on the ensuing kick and he headed it home to make it a one goal game. Westford would tie it up with under 5 minutes left when poor marking left more Westford bodies than Pacers bodies down the left side. Their shot was somewhat poorly taken, but it was neatly placed down low and slipped past a diving Cloutier for the tying score. Westford wasn't done, and had another opportunity in the dying seconds that Cloutier had to punch out, then watched as the rebound slip just by. The Pacers MUST do a better job on corner kicks, as they have given up 4 goals so far this year. Defending is a total team effort, and right now they aren't getting that. Playing strong matches for the Pacers were the previously mentioned Jon Cloutier (energy all over the field), Chris Laberge (1 goal and 2 assists), Dale Dubois (as usual), and Chris Florek (making his Pacers debut, he was a strong presence on the right side). The Pacers look for their first win of the season next Sunday at Lowell. Game time is 9:00. If anybody sees a real ref, can you send them by the field?

The Bedford Pacers dropped a 5-2 decision to a strong Stoneham squad to start the 2003 Autumn campaign. Stoneham, one of the better Division 1 squads who were forced to drop down a division due to a controversy, would prove they are the team to beat in Division 2. The game was closer than the final tally would show. Paul Cleary would start the scoring in the 20th minute by slamming home a restart from just outside the box. Chris Laberge's dummy run off the ball froze Stoneham's keeper, and Cleary followed from the other side make his deposit close to side-webbing. Stoneham would come back by finishing off a cross that would catch Pacers' keeper, Chris Cloutier, indecisive in his decision making. Stoneham would take a 2-1 lead late in the half after a corner kick was played short. Their big striker would almost bring down the crossbar with a rip, and the ensuing goalmouth scramble would take a fortunate bounce and Rogerio, Stoneham's little Brazilian with great skills, would not dissapoint for the half-time cushion. A pretty well played first half by both squads. Pacers managed to hold position on occasion, knocking the ball around a bit with some smart passing. Stoneham held the overall edge in possession, but it was pretty evenly matched first half. Pacers would tie match up in the first 5 minutes of the second stanza with a neat setup and finish. Rob Cissel would setup newcomer, George Wegricht, down the right side. George's great feed sprang Jeff Guild inside the area. Guild would settle with his left, and drive with his right, and it was all tied up. Stoneham would come right back 10 minutes later with the eventual game-winner off a fast break. The initial shot was deflected by a sliding Cloutier, but unfortunately it was sent right to a wide-open Rogerio with an open net. Rogerio would get the goal of the game with a mean looking drive to the upper 90 that Cloutier just stood there and watched, impressed. Stoneham would get a late bunny in extra time to close out the scoring. Overall, a pretty good match for the first game. Chris Laberge played well all over the field, teaming with Dale Dubois and Peter Cline to dominate the game in the air. Cleary's tricky footwork and deft passing skills game Pacers many of their opportunities. Cloutier was a mixed-bag in the Pacers net. Making a few tremendous saves, but could have come up with at least two of the goals. Game Notes: Laberge would be the first to be assessed with the new team rule regarding the delivery of a 30-pack for the next game. His insistant harping to the referree would finally result in a yellow card....Pacers are home next week against Westford. Game time is 9:00 at Legacy Field -- Please reply to the GM's mid-week e-mails regarding your attendance.

The Bedford Pacers will open the 2003 Fall season in Stoneham, MA, against Stoneham FC. This will be a tough start for the Pacers, as Stoneham was the team relegated from Division one in the Spring season. The Pacers have added some new players to further increase the depth of talent on the squad. Former Franklin Pierce Coach, Ahmad Boura will be joining the Pacers for added strength at Midfield. In addition, Bedford will see yet another Gagnon brother join the mix. Sonny Gagnon will join brother Alan for the Pacers. Sonny is also a strong midfielder. The Pacers have not lost any players this season. The addition of the two new players will help insure numbers with everyones busy fall schedules. A couple of team notes: If any of your contact information has changed, address, email, cell phone #, etc., please email the new information to the front office so that the lines of communication can remain open. Keep up the summer training sessions so we will all be in shape for the opener.

The Bedford Pacers and Hollis United proved they are two evenly matched teams. After playing each other to ties, and finishing virtually even, during the season, they met in the OTHSL O-30 finals to settle the score. However, they settled nothing as they tied once again, 2-2. Hollis would get on the board at the 20 minute mark, but Scott Sharby's header off Marco Koolman's restart would leave them level at the half. Hollis held possession better in the first half, with the Pacers creating their chances against the run of play. Hollis only had a few shots get through the DEA-like Pacers' "D". The second half was a different story. At 60 minutes, Chris Cloutier's long punt was tracked down inside the area by John Guild. Guild and the defender both battled for possession, with Guild finally taken a blow to the chops and the referree wasted no time pointing to the Spot. Jeff Bailey would calmly put home the go-ahead PK, and the Pacers had a 2-1 lead. The Pacer pressed for the insurance tally, carrying much of the play in the second half. They couldn't get the clear chance they were looking for, or their shots were just off the mark. It would come back to haunt them with 10 minutes left, Hollis broke through with the tying goal on a play that looked offside. None of the 4 refs in attendance appeared to be conscience at the time, so the play stood. Cloutier had to make a fine stop on a quick break in the closing moments to secure another tie against their rivalry. The Championship would be decided on Penalty Kicks. Never a good sign for a DEA-laden squad, the Pacers would drop this one, 4-3 on PKs. Overall, a great season for the Bedford Pacers. After jumping to Division 2 last year, they had a reality check. The level of play was a big step from Division 3, and after last year's fall season to get their feet wet, they played very strong this year. Hollis gets the nod on jumping up, but the Pacers will be right behind them soon.