How does one prepare for a team that is far younger and much improved? With focus, discipline and drive and, if all else fails, a consolation beer after the game.

“Things were quite intense in the first half, but I really feel like our first goal knocked them off balance” explains Patriot spokeswoman Chantal Paiement, whose squad ultimately held Les Pauvres Cons to a 3-1 loss despite feeling the heat to the very end. “For us, the third goal was quite a relief.”

The win could very well have put Patriot back in first, except that despite their own valiant effort, playoff-challenged Juggernatus United could not keep undefeated LPSC from winning their ninth of the season.

POTG: Although he does not appear on the score sheet in this one, Simon Lagarde deserves mention regardless, having scored more than half of Patriot’s goals this season.