~ From the archive of Club Running related articles for weekly emails past ~

On a dark Thursday evening, our IM soccer team rolled up to the fields next to Xfinity Center. However, there was a shortage of players on the women’s side, due to a variety of reasons including a “club sailing formal.” With a total of 4 players on the women’s side, our team was 1 short and could not field a co-ed 11 v 11 team. However, thanks to some good diplomacy from Captain Savannah Sitler, the opposing team SSL, agreed to play 9 v 9, also being a bit short handed on their team as well. The field was also blessed with the presence of Matthew Metz, who had graciously decided to come spectate this match. 

After a rough 10 minutes of the first half Club Running was down by 1 point. But that would not last for long. Andrew Cullen was battling for the ball with the other team, and in the midst of the battle, the ball was sent to the middle of the field, where Jacob Bush came in and sent it into the goal. The crowd went wild, if Jack Reimer was here, he would probably have started crying. Jacob Bush’s goal would start the momentum for great things this game. 

At half time, there was a severe lack of orange slices, so we thought our performance was going to take a hit. However, as the team gathered to go back in, spectator Matthew Metz proclaimed that, “We are going to win this.” 

After a relatively uneventful start to the second half, our team was taking a corner kick. The author of this section was playing defense and was not wearing her glasses, so I could not tell you what or where the ball was at this time but in the chaos of the other team’s goal box, Andrew Cullen sent the ball straight through the air into the goal.

In a post game interview, Cullen described his goal, “It was like spitting in the face of the JV Soccer team that once cut me.” 

As the second half progressed, despite the opponent having more subs than us for both men and women, they were clearly getting worn out. But Team Club Running was not showing any signs of slowing down. 

Striker Massimo Cardillo was sending the ball upfield to the other team’s goal. The goalie attempted to slide tackle Massimo, who then scored in the process. The goalie was then removed from the game (possibly got a red or yellow card I couldn’t tell). 

Zach Kiedrowski led the defense to a 2nd half shutout for his entire half in goal. With a final score of 3-1, Club Running IM Soccer outran SSL to a victory. The referee then crowned Max Worley as the team’s MVP. It was such an exciting game, midfielder Matthew Laskowski did not go to sleep until 3 am.

After the game, I can safely recap our performance with one quote from the other team: “They aren’t good, they are just fast.”