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- Category: Past Issues
In a very competitive game that saw lots of up and down action, the NECONN boys U14 soccer team put forth a tremendous effort and came away with a 2-2 tie vs. Coventry Sept. 16.
The first half saw a collection of great goaltending, strong passing and aggressive defense. With 10 minutes gone in the game, Sam Paul would create a dangerous offensive run when he found Marco Suriano open on the left flank. Marco would slot the ball through the Coventry defense to a sprinting Ryan Black. Ryan would take the ball in full stride and score the team’s first goal of the game. Coventry fought back, though, and notched a goal of its own just six minutes later. NECONN would take control of the tempo again and earn a corner kick with five minutes left on the first-half clock. David Redfield’s kick curved perfectly into the box where Elijah Dufour volleyed an instep kick. His shot deflected off Evan Cunningham and into the back of the net for a 2-1 NECONN lead at the half.
Standouts in the first half were the defensive corps of David Redfield, Cal Wilcox, Collin Singleton, William Liscomb and Travis Hayward. All played smart, aggressive team soccer to continually frustrate a very talented Coventry front line. Behind it all, goalie Zach Gagnon was outstanding. Zach made difficult plays look easy as he played his angles well and sure-handed everything that came his way.
In the second half, NECONN had multiple opportunities to put the game away. Breakaways that just missed, shots that went over the net, and balls that just seemed to take a bad bounce loomed big as the score still remained 2-1 late into the period. With 13 minutes left, sustained Coventry pressure finally paid off as they nudged the equalizer over the goal line to knot the score at 2-2. NECONN would fight back with some great through balls from Max Paro late in the game, but the clock would wind down and the game remained tied at the final whistle.
NECONN’s record now stands at 1-0-1 after two weeks of play. They will next travel to Hebron Sept. 23 for a 4 p.m. game.