The final boys varsity soccer game at Olsen Stadium was one to remember as the team said farewell to seniors Brody Campbell, Sheridan Dineen, Aidan Gray, Noah Gorman, Jack Nordstrom and Daniel Zimmerman. All of these players have been a part of the soccer program for multiple years, with Campbell, Gorman, Nordstrom and Zimmerman playing all four years at Freedom.

The game began with quick play from both sides. Long passes to wing players characterized Freedom’s play for much of the game, and that was evident as forward Andrew Strait was quickly played in for a 1 on 1 against the Stone Bridge keeper, who made a successful save with his trailing feet as he dived in the other direction. This was followed by a save off the resulting Freedom corner, which was struck into the keeper’s chest.

Freedom kept on the pressure in the first half, with Nordstrom putting a shot in the bottom left corner. This was ruled offside, preventing the senior from opening the scoring. Freedom would not be held back for long, as Strait slotted in a penalty from a Stone Bridge handball to make the score 1-0. Before halftime could arrive, however, great one-touch passing by the Stone Bridge midfield allowed them to manage a strike on goal, equalizing and making it 1-1 by halftime.

In the second half, Freedom sought to regain the momentum that carried their first-half performance. This was achieved as Zimmerman played fellow midfielder Jonathan Sheehan into a scoring position to make the score 2-1 Freedom. Later in the half,  “Assists in a Season” record holder Paul Jasper played long through ball to Strait for his second in the game, putting him closer to the “Goals in a Season” record with one more goal necessary to beat it. The score was 3-1 Freedom.

Zimmerman would attempt the spectacular in his final home game for Freedom as he jumped in the air for a bicycle kick around the 6-yard box off a touchline cross. It would not go in, but the crowd enthusiastically applauded the effort.

Nate Mitchell would end the game off with about 2 minutes left as he dribbled inside the box with a finish into the bottom right corner from a Strait pass.

Final score: 4-1 Freedom Eagles