Owls win "Battle of the Dandelions" in Close Match in Madison
The Junior Varsity Owls flew south to the Academy Field in downtown Madison to face an OLM Prep team in what would later become known as the Battle of the Dandelions.
In a sunny field dotted with the small, yellow harbingers of spring, Country School found itself down 0-2 after a quick jab-like attack from the OLM disc-flingers.
Not to be deterred, however, sure-handed Jack D. found himself on the receiving end of the team’s first two scores, one each from Ben G. and Gideon M. A short lull in the scoring, left the teams knotted at 2-2 before Cam M. found Will C. in the back corner of the endzone as he wrestled free from a defender and caught the lofting disc to take the lead. At the 12:00 mark, though, OLM would capitalize on a midfield turnover that slipped through the talons of the owls, securing a 3-3 tie.
This back-and-forth battle had spectators’ heads zipping from right-to-left like they were in the Wimbledon Grandstand (though the pitch, thick with weeds and dandelions would have told a different story than the manicured lawns of Roland Garros).
Continuing the scoring, Jake S. flung one into the sure-fingered grip of Cam M, but two unanswered dots from OLM reclaimed a 5-4 lead for the home team. The tying pass was made by Jack D. who found Arlo M. open in the endzone.
With a 5-5 score, OLM knew they needed to push the pace and maximize their size advantage, taking the lead on a high arcing pass into the outstretched fingers of their tallest player. 6-5 OLM.
Handling many of the duties in the midfield, Gideon M. tied the game with a zipping pass to Luke O.
Again, however, OLM countered, taking what would be their final lead at 7-6. At that point, Jake S.took over the game with his speed, breaking free for three unanswered points, two from Cam and one from Gideon. This took the teams through halftime, after which OLM would only score once more (8-9) before a short Gideon M. shot threaded the needle between two defenders into Luke’s grasp for the final score, and his second of the game.
Next up, the Owls play at home versus Pine Point on Monday, then again at home vs. IDS on Tuesday where they hope to extend their undefeated season.
341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443
P. 203-421-3113 | Health Office F. 860-469-2550
P. 203-421-3113 | Health Office F. 860-469-2550
Founded in 1955, The Country School is a coeducational, independent school serving students in PreSchool-Grade 8. The Country School is committed to active, hands-on learning and a vigorous curriculum that engages the whole child.
The Country School is a community where diversity is celebrated and people of Color are welcomed, valued and supported.
We do not discriminate - nor do we tolerate discrimination - based upon age, gender, race, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic predisposition, ancestry, social and economic status, or other categories protected by Connecticut or federal law.
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