Boys Soccer Wages Scoreless Tie with Braintree

Host Brookline and Braintree staged a terrific Bay State Conference boys' soccer battle yesterday at scenic Skyline Park. The two Carey Division teams played to a 0-0 tie on the turf, as Brookline remained undefeated with a now 3-0-1 ledger, while Braintree went to 1-1-1.

While the Warriors had more quality opportunities, ninth-year head coach Jeff Katz still thought his offense needed a bit more punch.

 "It wasn't enough," he said. "Every team is defending us hard, and we need to get behind the defense more."

 But he credited the Wamps for their stinginess.

"They're tough," he said.

That's right, there won't be any mercy for the Warriors, who went 14-4-2 last year and advanced to the second round of the state tourney.

The Warriors best chance to sew up yesterday's game came in the last two minutes when senior star forward Jacob Ebbs threaded a pass in front to senior midfielder Keith Chernin, but the latter's low boot was kicked out by Braintree senior keeper Kevin O'Halloran.

Ebbs keyed four other second half rushes, and the coach was quick to note he "played a great game."

First, Ebbs took a pass on the left side from junior defender Alan Zhou in the middle, but Ebbs' shot was blocked by O'Halloran.

He also fed in-close passes to senior midfielder Teddy Rounds and junior midfielder Tito Curran. Rounds made a nice effort to direct the ball as it rolled near the box, but O'Halloran scooped it up.  Curran's chance was warded off by the Wamps defense some 10 yards out.

Finally, with three minutes to go, Ebbs took a feed from Rounds and drilled a liner from the right that was picked off by O'Halloran

Warriors' senior goalie Matt Hillman was just as sound on the other side, denying the Wamps on several corner kicks amid scrambles just inches from the net.

Brookline also dominated much of the first half. Freshman midfielder Zachary Herivaux leveled a shot straight on off a nice cross-feed from Rounds. Junior forward Eric Buck's direct kick was almost deflected in. And junior defender Ari Zimmet just missed converting a corner kick from Buck.