[Editor’s Note: What follows are write-ups of recent New Canaan Soccer Association games. Thank-you to the authors and to the NCSA. Please send your youth sports write-ups and photos to mike@newcanaanite.com for inclusion in our website, daily newsletter and social media channels.]
Katharine Byrne breaks away on a scoring run. Contributed photo
New Canaan Soccer Girls U10 Red Defeats Newtown Blue
The New Canaan Soccer Girls U10 Red Team added another victory to its season record by defeating Newtown at home on Sunday afternoon.
Under threat of rain, the game began with most of the action in the New Canaan zone. The strong Newtown Blue Team’s offense was unrelenting with the pressure they applied but the New Canaan defense was not to be overcome. The defense led by Kate Caione and Ava Gizzie repeatedly repelled the Newtown advances and Ellie Gallois made a number of saves while tending goal.
Around the 15-minute mark the momentum started to swing as the New Canaan offense revved its engine and began its charge. The first goal of the day came when Ella Patterson placed a crossing pass on the foot of Ava Gizzie, who obliged by finding the back of the net. With the score 1-0, Newtown scored the equalizer on an indirect free kick that was just out of Gallois’ reach.
The game play was very evenly matched up to this point, but then the New Canaan offense began to roll. Gizzie scored her second goal with a beautiful left footed volley. Moments later Natalie Owsley perfectly positioned herself to score on a rebound off the goalie. With the score now at 3-1, Gizzie got the Hat Trick, for the game, when she scored on a breakaway just before the half time whistle.
The second half began with a comfortable 4-1 New Canaan lead, however Newtown was not ready to give up. The Blue team battled back and scored a goal 3 minutes into the second half cutting the New Canaan lead to 4-2. Just minutes later, New Canaan’s Katharine Byrne responded by breaking down the length of the field to beat the Newtown goalie, adding an insurance goal.
With a 5-2 advantage, the New Canaan defense led by the strong goal tending of Katie Polacek held Newtown to just one additional goal and the game ended in a 5-3 victory. The combination of a powerful offense, tight defense and strong goal tending was what led to the Red Team’s success against this formidable opponent.
The Red Team will be on the road next week to face the Trumbull United Heat.
New Canaan’s Madeleine McLaughlin confidently controls the ball for the U11 Girls Red team. Contributed photo
U11 Girls Red Roll Past Fairfield 7-2; Darien Showdown Set for Sunday
It was a busy weekend for New Canaan’s U11 Girls Red soccer team with first round action of the CT Cup tournament on Saturday, and a regular season game against Fairfield’s Red Storm on Sunday.
Saturday’s first round game of the CT Cup was played at home against Wilton Blue, a team New Canaan had already beat twice this season. Wilton’s familiarity with the team proved helpful in keeping the game evenly matched for the first 30 minutes of the half. However, New Canaan finally broke through with 5 minutes left before the halftime whistle, with Dillyn Patten scoring on an assist from Hadley Beiles. Keeper Avery Minter was strong in goal as she kept Wilton off the scoreboard.
New Canaan ultimately proved to be too strong for their opponent as they added two more goals in the second half. Off a well-placed pass by Katie Perlitz, Jade Lowe’s left-footed shot found its way past the keeper.
New Canaan’s third and final goal started with Avery Minter streaking down the right side, finding Dillyn Patten in perfect scoring position in front of the goal.
New Canaan continues their Cup run with second round action on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Using the momentum gained from Saturday’s win, New Canaan hit the road to face Fairfield’s Red Storm on Sunday. On a soggy, choppy field, New Canaan found their footing right out of the gate to score their first goal within minutes – a gorgeous chip shot by Kiki Brainard. Fairfield answered back almost immediately and slipped one by the New Canaan goalkeeper. Hadley Beiles was not about to let the score remain tied for long and put one in the net off the assist by Caitlin Tully. Using excellent teamwork and beautiful passing, the U11 girls worked like a well-oiled machine moving the ball up the field to set the offense up to score.
Goal number three was a result of this teamwork with Dillyn Patten setting up Grace Crowell for the shot. The “dynamic duo” of Patten and Crowell were responsible for New Canaan’s fourth goal of the half as well; Patten took an awesome shot on goal which the Fairfield keeper blocked only to have the ball hit the crossbar and land perfectly positioned for Crowell to blast it in the net.
Defensively, New Canaan was just as impressive, with Kaleigh Harden and Madeleine McLaughlin leading the back four with their ability to win tackles and pass the ball quickly to their offensive counterparts. Although keeper Emma Lamaker was in control of the net for most of the first half, Fairfield was able to sneak another shot past her after Fairfield got control of a drop ball near the net.
With a 4-2 lead at the start of the second half, New Canaan continued their relentless pressure on the Fairfield defense with their formidable control of the ball and penetrating passing game. Front line teammates Jade Lowe, Grace Crowell, Dillyn Patten and Caitlin Lowe were determined to increase their lead over Fairfield. Lowe, assisted by Crowell and Tully, off the set up by Hollis Mulry, each found the net in the second half. Midfielder Angelica Megdanis also added to New Canaan’s tally with a goal of her own.
Fairfield was not without their chances to score in the second half, most notably when awarded a penalty by the referee. Facing the lone Fairfield striker was goalkeeper Ashley Barton who made the impressive save to keep Fairfield at two goals.
Sunday’s 7-2 victory over Fairfield places the U11 Girls Red in first place of their division. They next face rival Darien Blue at home next Sunday.
New Canaan Boys U9 Red Shut Out Trumbull 6-0
New Canaan Boys U9 Red Shut Out Trumbull 6-0
New Canaan U-9 boys Red team came out strong against Trumbull this past Sunday with two early goals by Connor Lytle assisted by Cole Wilson and Augusto Baldini.
The score quickly became 3-0 with a goal by Ethan Schubert assisted by Will Langford. Max Lowe’s maneuvering down the field and movement of the ball made for an impressive score on his part. The quick passing of this skilled team continued and Ethan Schubert went onto score and complete a hat trick to bring the final score to 6-0.
Benjamin Bilden, Felipe Galavis and Ted Werner played strong to keep the Trumbull team from scoring any goals. Benjamin Balkind guarded the goal for the entire first half and Jayden Oyekanmi and Cole Wilson split goal keeping the second half.
New Canaan U9 players from left to right: Cole Wilson , Felipe Galavis and Augusto Baldini attack the ball to beat their Trumbull opponents. Contributed photo
NC U9 Boys Black Win Another at Home
Controlling the ball the balance of the game, the U9 Boys Black team defeated Westport Gold 2-0.
Matthew Stimpson, a game co-captain, lead the opening offensive line, and with Nate Ehrlich and Alex Werner applied immediate pressure on the Westport team. Finn Greiner, Cyrus Pearson, Nis Tuga and Walker Bright kept the ball moving in the Wesport end with wonderfully controlled passes and great feeds. Ultimately, in the second half, the teamwork paid off. Chase Abbott took the ball up the line, centered it to Nate Markin, who passed back out to Ehrlich, who fed it back to the center for a beautiful goal by Markin. Luke Frame scored the second goal to seal the win.
Benjamin Bilden and Max Lowe are unstoppable during a 6-0 shut out over Trumbull on Sept.21, 2014. Contributed photo
The defensive counter part of the team, anchored by game co-captain, Fletcher Heron, Enzo Fredricks and Nathan Sieckhaus kept the ball from danger with coordinated efforts and great passing to the sides and midfield. Benji Sturcke made an incredible save off the cross bar to keep Westport off the board.
Coach James summed up the effort and teamwork exhibited on the field. “Well played, boys. Everyone worked together and as a team we won this game.”
New Canaan U9 Girls Red Storm Shelton 7-1
The New Canaan U9 Girls Red soccer team continues to command their opponents with a 7-1 win against Shelton. New Canaan came out in the first half dominating the ball and charging the goal. First, Isabel Cavanagh and Ava Pertusiello each scored one goal. Then Kailee See scored on a solo breakaway by striking the ball into the high corner of the goal right before halftime.
In the second half, Devon Russell scored two goals, one off a beautiful fast break assist from Lexie Tully, and continued the offensive momentum for the Red. Lexie Tully, and Katie Quill also tallied one goal each by firing high hard shots into the net.
Maggie Murphy, Tema Wagner, Fiona Mueller, Alexandra Gelvin, and 2nd half goalie Kailee See were relentless and played exceptional defense which held Shelton to only one goal and secured the win.