Minutemen, Rockets Duel to a Draw (PHOTOS)

The Minutemen controlled the action but not the scoreboard as ’s varsity soccer squad and the Rockets of Reading Memorial played to a 1-1 tie Tuesday afternoon at Lexington’s .

Things started a bit slowly and the two sides felt each other out for several minutes before Lexington’s offensive attack began to dominate the ball. But it was the Rockets who fired first.

After a few minutes of back-and-forth play, Reading midfielder Aaron Lelacheur drove one past a Lexington defender backpedaling into the goal after keeper Joe McGruder left the net to attempt to stop ball during a scramble. 

Lexington, for its part, did not seriously threaten at all during the first half, but ramped up the pressure after the break. Just minutes into the second frame, Josh Curruthers beat Reading keeper Jeremy Battye to knot it at ones.

The Middlesex League matchup, played under overcast skies and the threat of rain, was a tale of two halves and a tale of two tactical approaches.

While Reading appeared content to play stout defense and pick its spots to go on the attack, the Minutemen worked hard to keep play in their offensive zone and, at times, looked shaky on the defensive end.

“It was a good performance in the second half; first half not so good,” said Lexington coach Daniel Rudolph. “We sort of settled into the game. The first half, we just really weren’t getting a hold of the ball. In the second half, we got a hold of it and were able to do some good things. We did control possession for some stretches of the game, but we just couldn’t get that go-ahead goal.”

Lexington’s next game is Friday, Sept. 23 when the Minutemen host Arlington. Reading also returns to action Friday afternoon, when the Rockets play host to Belmont.