NECONN pg 9 9-15-11
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- Category: Past Issues
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Moving the Ball
NECONN’s Marco Suriano moves the ball against CWSA. Photo courtesy of Jenn McGroary.
Sept. 11 the NECONN boys’ U14 soccer team traveled to Willimantic to compete against league opponent CWSA (Columbia Windham Soccer Alliance) in the season opener. Despite a very even first half, NECONN would break it open in the second stanza for a 4-1 win.
NECONN would start the scoring with just three minutes gone in the game when Evan Cunningham’s corner kick found the foot of Marco Suriano. Marco deflected the ball past the diving CWSA keeper to put the team up 1-0. Thirteen minutes later, CWSA recorded the equalizer when the NECONN defense got caught flat and a CWSA attacker went in on a breakaway. NECONN keeper Chris Walker almost had the ball, but it just crossed the goal line. The score at half was 1-1.
In the second half, the defensive rotation of David Redfield, Zach Gagnon, Jack Liggett, William Liscomb, Aaron Lambert and Ethan Rogers were steady and strong. They continually stepped up to win 50/50 balls and keep the ball in the opponent’s half of the field. With ten minutes gone in the second half, Cunningham brought the ball down the right side of the field and lofted a cross to the middle of the goal area. NECONN midfielder Travis Hayward settled under the ball and headed it into the back of the net. Just three minutes later with momentum on NECONN’s side, Cunningham again drew a crowd and found Max Paro open at the top of the box. Max maneuvered quickly and just snuck the ball in the lower corner past the sprawled CWSA keeper. To cap off the scoring, CWSA was called for a hand-ball in the box. Hayward was called on to take the penalty kick, and he calmly placed the ball in the lower right corner to solidify the 4-1 victory.
Mention goes out to NECONN’s Elijah Dufour, Sean McGroary, Evan O’Connor and Sam Paul. They collectively transitioned the ball well all day long and gave the team good depth at the midfield position. Game stars go to Evan Cunningham for this three assists and keeper Chris Walker for recording the team’s first victory of the season. NECONN next plays away games Sept. 17 vs. Hebron and then on Sunday vs. Ellington.