"Big Play" Booth leads Sachems to hard-earned win

Charlie Booth didn't touch the ball much during Sunday's 1-0 victory over the Inter Bandits at Lynch Field, but the few times he did were all big plays. The man known for making amazing goals on the futsal court served a flawless direct free kick in the 19th minute, which Ben Beyer banged in for the game winner.

As the second half goalkeeper, Booth quite literally saved the game, twice clearing balls off the goal line in the opening minute, including a parry and then low dive on the first opportunity.

The newly constituted Sachems three-man back line pitched a shutout in its first game with the new shape and system. Centerback Philip Woolston organized his mates and deftly shepherded opponents away from danger, while outside backs Booth, Griffin Burkey and Eric Rolfs locked down the athletic, powerful Inter attackers and were nearly flawless in their clearances and distribution. All four backs played bravely and united to earn the clean sheet, with Rolfs as the solid first half goalkeeper.

Yoav Barkai, Charlie Cacciola and Patrick Foley rotated through the two center positions, crafting the offense and helping defensively. Cacciola came off the bench to sort things after early shivers, allowing he, Foley and Barkai to settled in and distributed the ball nicely going forward.

Sachem wide men Spencer Anton, Jamie Keegan, Bennett Parsons, Elliott Rippe, Ethan Sweeting and Cole Turissini showed good spacing and developing poise on the touchlines for the home side. Forwards Beyer and Sweeting logged the minutes at forward and had late opportunities canceled from the Bandits goalkeeper. Overall it was an impressive true beginning to the spring season for the boys.