By Michael Tricca
Staff Writer

Westford Academy Boys’ Varsity Soccer faced off against Lincoln-Sudbury yesterday in a fierce match that ended in a 0-0 tie.

The bleachers were empty for the most part, populated by only a smattering of families. Dark clouds began to shroud the sky, and the before-slight breeze began to pick up. Both teams were quietly warming up on the field, the only sounds a bit of quiet chatter amongst the players.

The team huddled and the game began shortly thereafter.

The teams were very evenly matched, with Westford’s solid defense checking Lincoln-Sudbury’s aggression.

Both teams were able to get very close to scoring early on, but the goalies remained vigilant. LS almost got a shot in, but the ball flew over the goal.

WA’s coach was infuriated by the referee’s calls, and they verbally clashed sporadically throughout the first half, until the ref silenced the coach.

The rain began to pick up as WA closely missed a goal. An LS player was pushed, opening them up for a corner kick.

WA’s goalie Sam Brewer saw a good amount of action during the first half, and he did an admirable job blocking every shot that came his way.

The rain intensified with the game, as LS got the ball in WA’s goal. The play was a foul, however, and the point was discounted.

WA subbed in a new goalie with 7:20 left on the clock who promptly denied LS a goal.

Halftime rolled around as the clouds began to thin. Each team huddled at their respective goals, the coaches pacing back and forth amongst their players like drill sergeants.

LS sent forth a blistering shot, almost scoring, but a diving save intercepted the ball.

The second half began roughly for WA, with LS encroaching more and more on the goal.

WA had two very close calls near the goal, barely deflecting LS’ shots. Their defense held, however.

WA, going for a long shot, sent the ball soaring through the field goal uprights with a kick that would’ve made the football team proud.

WA came very close to scoring multiple times, but the shots missed their mark.

The clouds cleared as WA’s coach called for a time-out., sullenly plotting out the team’s course of action.

WA almost scored in the final minutes, but a tactical error cost them the goal.

The setting sun cast a halo over the trees as the teams shook hands, the game ending with high intensity but no scores.