A Tale of Two Schools (with respect, and apologies, to Mister Dickens)

Book the First—The Teams

It was the best of times (the big game against the Kennedy School), it was the worst of times (Sunday morning at 9.30!). It was the year of our Lord two thousand and one, the 23^rd day of September.

And so entered the Fletcher crowd onto and about the pitch known as Cousens Field, ready to strike fear into the hearts of the KSG squad. Eric "Defarge" Davis MALD 01, former captain of the guard, gathered the people around him, seeking to undermine the opposition, promising to offer final defense, and to uphold the realm. 

The team realized membership twenty strong, with representatives of all nature, MALD 01-03, MAHA 01-02, men and women alike.

Book the Second—The Play of Half the First

Spirited play, backed by superiority in numbers and in just cause, led Fletcher to an early lead. With strength from the rear, Fletcher took early advantage, and sprinted to an early 2-0 lead, care of the good doctor...

Doctor Esteban Sacco MAHA 01, that is, who received such platitudes here as his old reputation, and its revival in the floating whispers of his story, brought him. His soccer ability, and his vigilance and skill in scoring ingenious goals, brought him otherwise into moderate request.

And when the opponent did call upon the authority of the Solicitor-General Referee to award a penalty kick against Fletcher, they stood strong, and parried the blow, preserving the hard-earned lead.

Book the Third—Half the Second and Epilogue

After a respite of but 5 minutes, again the two sides met. Kennedy threw caution to the wind, and brought their attack from all the corners of the field, with volleys, long balls, and quick attacks. But where true justice might have been meted out, with a penalty kick for Fletcher being sadly missed, instead there was a lapse, and the winds of momentum shifted to the school situated along the river.

And the damage was done.

Kennedy quickly struck not once, but twice, evening the score, and sending the match into the bitter, dying throws of equalite, if not fraternite. Partisans of both sides spoke volumes with words and play, but the deadlock could not be broken. And thus it ended, with 2 for the host, and 2 for the visitor, locked in uncertainty 'til they meet again.

After the game, the weary rested and thought: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." [Well, I suppose it would have been a far better rest if we’d held on to win, but life never does perfectly imitate art, does it.]

Fletcher Soccer stands at 0-1-1, with upcoming games against Brandeis and Bentley. Join us each at 4 on Fridays (practice) and at 10 on Sundays (games) at Cousens Field.

Comments? Write us at letter@fletcherledger.com

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