—submitted by Ed Ho
So I was at the garden store this past week asking one of the guys if I should fertilize my plantings from a few weeks ago that have yet to bloom. The nice gentleman turned and gave me the wisest advice, “No – let the warm weather and sunlight do its work this weekend. They’ll be fine.” The NCFC Boys 2007 Red team, like my flowers, blossomed this weekend on their home field basking in the radiant sunshine here in lovely New Canaan.
Top (L to R): Drew DeGaetano, Rogan Lows, Coach Hahn.
Mid (L to R): Brooks Walker, Javier Minuesa , Sajan Shah, Joacquin Blanco
Bottom (L to R): Max Maggard, Dylan Ho, Shane McMahon, Chase Harden, Rohan Shenoy. Contributed
After starting the season in the new Elite division with 5 straight losses, the 2007 Boys Red side desperately needed a win to boost their confidence and to avoid relegation. But the visiting Stamford team did not offer a rosy outlook for the game by scoring first with their two strongest frontline players pressing the attack. The New Canaan boys, drawing energy from sheer determination and the will to win, did not wilt in the 90 degree heat. Brooks Walker, William Arnold and Drew DeGaetano each had brilliant shots turned away by the Stamford keeper who made incredible saves throughout the first half. Turning to saving goals rather than scoring them, Javier Minuesa, played very well in his debut as the NC goalie in the first half and kept the match close.
Having watched this group of boys compete for two seasons, I can tell you that they never quit on themselves. As Coach Dan Clarke remarked in his post-game comments. “Conceding the first goal could have had a negative impact but the boys responded magnificently and continued to create chances throughout the game.” And then, grabbing his chance, Rogan Rocket Lowe blasted a shot into the goal past the gifted Stamford keeper to tie up the match. Stamford continued to mount their attack using their size and stature to bulldog their way into NC’s goal area. And after a few unfortunate bounces Stamford scored and led at the end of the first half 2-1.
Once again with defeat staring them in the face, the NCFC Red ’07 Boys rose to the occasion. Sajan Shah, benefitting from strong midfield and backline play from Chase Harden, Shane McMahon and Joacquin Blanco took a pass up the right wing, found a seam and scored on his best shot of the season from the top of the penalty area. 2-2 and New Canaan was just getting started. Rob Maggard, father to Max “Ocho” Maggard snuck out of a ballet recital at nearby NCHS just in time to see Max’s lovely left foot find the back of the net again to give the boys a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. Dylan Ho made several left winged attacks deep into Stamford territory throughout the game and this time found Javier Minuesa open in the box. Converting on that opportunity and one more late in the match, Javier reminded us that his true love is scoring goals, not saving them. And while the rest of the team was scoring, Rohan Shenoy and his confident fists punched away every Stamford shot for a 2H clean sheet. Well done to all the boys! A final score of 5-2 and a convincing victory for the NCFC side in their first Elite Division win!
In closing I’d like to add that sometimes, we as parents want “to add fertilizer” to our boys’ athletic performance by offering our sideline coaching and words of admonishment. But like the man at the garden store, Coach Dan Clarke told the parents that wouldn’t be necessary. Coach Dan you instructed us to let the boys play and let their hard work and continued belief in themselves and your program find its day in the sun. Thank you Coach and here’s to us all finding our green thumb out on the soccer field!