By Shawn Bates
PUTNAM — The Putnam  High School boys’ soccer team anticipates its transition to the ECC after a successful 2017 campaign. In 2017, Putnam went 9-7 during the regular season.
For the 2018 season, Putnam will rely on the experience of a collection of seniors as they navigate a challenging schedule. Putnam’s key returning seniors, Hunter Touchette, Kobie Bates, Simon Morente-Uz, Jacob Clinkscale and Aidan Bernier will need to lead a relatively young squad to ensure success.
PHS will see John Espinosa and Cole Davagian return to the Clippers after a few year hiatus. Finally, head coach Jon Miller hopes that freshman Karson Bates will be able to make an immediate impact for Putnam as he transitions to the high school level.
Sept. 7 Putnam played Killingly and came up with a 1-1 draw.
In a competitive soccer match, Killingly High School and Putnam High School ended the double overtime game in a draw with the score 1-1. The Clippers‘ Hunter Touchette capitalized on a mistake by the Killingly defense late in the first half when the goalie came almost out to half field on a play that to score the first goal of the game.
After the halftime, Killingly came out and scored an easy touch off a Putnam defense miscue and tied the match up on a goal by Ryan Schultz 8 minutes into the second half. After two overtimes the ended in a draw, with both teams having fought hard, with the Redman getting off 17 shots and Putnam 6. Killingly’s Connor Chahanovich recorded 5 saves, and Putnam’s Kobie Bates recorded 16 saves of his own.