Cosmos get off to quick start vs. OV

Coach Muffie Harvey said that over the years Otter Valley has had a rough time in the early part of the season and that Springfield “Always spanks us.” And Tuesday at Brown Memorial the Cosmos paddled the Otters again in the Marble Valley League boys soccer opener for both teams, 6-1.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110908/SPORTS/709089923

Published September 8, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Cosmos get off toquick start vs. OV

By POODY WALSH

SPRINGFIELD — Coach Muffie Harvey said that over the years Otter Valley has had a rough time in the early part of the season and that Springfield “Always spanks us.” And Tuesday at Brown Memorial the Cosmos paddled the Otters again in the Marble Valley League boys soccer opener for both teams, 6-1.

After two years as an assistant and now in charge, Harvey knows that while there is some talent there, the Otters remain a team with plenty of work ahead. Still there were moments when the Otters flashed impressively, but those opportunities were spread out.

What the Otters could not do is find a way to deal with Springfield senior Colin Brady, a forward with a hard shot that resulted in three goals and an assist.

However, the Man of the Match award went to his brother, midfielder Devin Brady, just a sophomore.

The Man of the Match Award is given to one player a game who does not necessarily get all the goals, but is kind of unsung.

“Devin kept it simple and did what we asked,” said ninth-year coach Paul Kendall. The award is handed out in honor of the late Phil Hughes, a long-time soccer enthusiast and fan of Springfield soccer. The family pays for the medals that are handed out after each game.

Devin Brady and his midfield partners were instrumental in denying the Otters a transition game as they constantly denied them penetration into the offensive zone.

There was plenty of speed in the likes of Dominic Simpson and Jeff Corbett, who were waiting for the ball that did not arrive often enough.

Springfield ended up with a 16-5 edge in shots and 3-1 in corners.

While Springfield had what counts in the win, the goal of the game went to Simpson, who in the early part of the second half absolutely blew by the Springfield defense to the right of Springfield keeper Tim Hildreth.

As Hildreth moved to his left, Simpson left-footed the ball inside the far post.

“I was encouraged by a lot of the things I saw today and that was certainly one of them,” said Harvey.

The game was only 33 seconds old when Springfield took a 1-0 lead as Brady, who can hit line drives, rammed one in from just inside the 18.

Springfield scored three more times before the half as Tom Kendall made it 2-0 on an assist from Brady.

Then Brady scored an unassisted goal to make it 3-0. The fourth tally was an own goal as Jeff Fuller’s corner kick went off an Otter Valley defender.

Otter Valley, which played much better in the second half, got Simpson’s goal and had a Corbett shot ram off the post.

Springfield’s final two goals came when Fuller tapped in Tom Kendall’s cross and Brady booted in a Cooper Naess shot that hit the post and rolled to Brady.

Both teams are dealing with opponents who have wet, unplayable fields.

Springfield will not play until going to Brattleboro next Tuesday and Otter Valley is off until next week as its scheduled trip to the Arlington John Werner Tournament was postponed.