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Pomfret School
splits the week
POMFRET — The Pomfret School boys’ soccer team won against the Frederick Gunn School Oct. 23, 1-0.
Pomfret goals came from Eumir Rodriguez (89th) and saves came from Javier Alonso, 3; and Austin Kendig, 3
Coach Patrick Burke said “We knew Frederick Gunn is a team that would compete, battle, and make things challenging for us, and they did just that in the game’s first half. Both teams struggled to create quality chances, and the majority of the game was played in the midfield.”
Frederick Gunn had more energy during this first half, but Pomfret got a spark in the final 20 minutes as Cole Castro, Van Horvath, Kaya Horvath, Ethan Forbes, Lawrence Viola, Lyle Bernard, Nick Ferrucci, Caleb White, and Tareq Altayaar gave quality minutes. It was 0-0 at the half, he said.
In the second half, Burke said, the team increased its energy and intensity and took control. Declan Chapman, Jerry Da, Fred Coulibaly, Lawrence, Nate Watson, Dylan Tran, and Anson Meerbergen gave quality minutes in the attack, while Devin Walcott and Grant Maurer worked hard to control the midfield. Henry Cattell, Eumir Rodriguez, Gerald Gao, Ryan Cho, and Lyle played well in defense and limited Frederick Gunn’s opportunities. Frederick Gunn was able to get through for a one on one opportunity about 15 minutes into the half, but goalkeeper Austin Kendig came up with an outstanding diving save. Pomfret continued to push for a goal throughout the majority of the second half.
Burke added with a little over a minute left on the clock, Nick Ferrucci beat his man to a ball at half field and took off down the left flank. Nick beat another defender and then was taken down in the box earning Pomfret a penalty kick. With 54 seconds left, Eumir stepped up to the spot kick and put an inch perfect shot into the top right corner, giving Pomfret the 1-0 lead and the victory.
On Oct. 20 Berkshire beat Pomfret 3-1. Pomfret’s goal came from Nate Watson (57th) with an assist from Fred Coulibaly Goalie Javier Alonso had seven saves.
Burke said the 3-1 score line “does not tell the story of the game, and while we are upset with the defeat, we showed once again that we can play and compete at a high level with top level competition.”
He said a mental lapse in the 5th minute allowed Berkshire an easy 1-0 lead. Griffins Declan Chapman and Dylan Tran lead the attack while Fred Coulibaly and Nate Watson found space on the flanks. Devin Walcott, Ethan Forbes, and Caleb White organized Pomfret’s midfield. The defense locked down Berkshire’s attacking threats. Grant Maurer and Henry Cattell were strong on the wings while Eumir Rodriguez and Ryan Cho continued to grow in their center back partnership. Cole Castro gave us a spark up top as he, Declan, Dylan, Fred, Nate, Lawrence Viola, and Nick Ferrucci tested Berkshire’s back line. Goalkeeper Javier Alonso played well and controlled his box. The first half was an even and entertaining match, he said.
Down 1-0, the Griffins started the second half knowing they were still in the game and their start was strong. Javier came up with a big save early which gave the team momentum. In the 57th minute some nice distribution from Javier found Fred who beat his man and played a diagonal ball into the path of Nate. Nate took one good touch and fired an arching shot over the outstretched hands of the Berkshire keeper. At 1-1 the game remained back and forth with both teams attacking and defending well. In the 70th minute Berkshire was awarded a PK after a 50/50 challenge and their talented #10 finished from the spot. Pomfret pushed hard for an equalizer. Declan and Fred were instrumental in this push, while Grant, Nick, Nate, Devin, and Cole all made important plays which almost got us an equalizer. Burke said: “We were a bit unlucky to not get our own PK, but that happens in soccer. Unfortunately, with 20 seconds left Berkshire was able to get a run out and their #10 was able to score giving them a 3-1 win.”
By Patrick Burke
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