New Canaan Girls U10 Red Notch 3-1 Win over FUSA Red 2
Kelly Polacek drives down the field during the Girls U10 Red win over Fairfield on Sunday. Contributed
New Canaan Girls U10 Red traveled to Fairfield on Sunday to take on FUSA Red 2. It took a full team effort in what would prove to be a very physical game to come away with their second win of the season.
Both sides started out on the offensive and New Canaan first half goalie Kathryn Norton was tested early as she made several key saves. Defenders Maggie Murphy and Devon Russell were constantly fighting off Fairfield attacks deep in the zone and moving the ball up field. The play at midfield was no less intense with Lila Volpe and Fiona Mueller driving down the field one minute and immediately reversing course to chase down Fairfield’s players the next.
Fairfield’s first half defense was very tough as well, and made New Canaan’s offense earn every inch. But as has been the case many times before, it was New Canaan that struck first with Lexie Tully passing to Katie Quill in a give-and-go back to Tully who fired a hard shot to the low right corner. Fairfield was quick to respond and netted a sharp line drive from the front left of the goal to even the score at halftime.
The second half would see more of an advantage towards New Canaan as Isabel Cavanagh and Tema Wagner led successive drives down the field that began breaking down Fairfield’s defense. New Canaan finally went back on top when Ava Pertusiello got possession of the ball near Fairfield’s goal post and crossed it to Kelly Polacek who drilled it into the left corner of the net.
Fairfield never backed down and began punting goal kicks into New Canaan’s end hoping for a fast break. However defenders Norton and Tully were rock solid, stopping everything that came their way. Fairfield’s best chance to stage a comeback came off a hard line drive shot from the top right of the box, but second half goalie Murphy made an amazing diving save.
New Canaan quickly regained the momentum and was awarded a free kick from just outside the Fairfield box. Tully took the shot and hit a rocket that rebounded off the far post. Charlotte Walter gained possession and beat the goalie to score the final goal in a 3-1 New Canaan win.
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New Canaan Football Club U11 Girls Red Team Starts Connecticut Cup Tournament with Shutout Victory on Saturday, Wins Again in Sunday’s Regular Season Game
Ava Gizzie. Contributed
The New Canaan Football Club’s U11 Girls Red Team played the Cheshire White team in their first round of the 2015 Connecticut Cup Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 19. This year the U11 Cup Tournament has 67 teams, from around the state, competing in a single elimination competition that will last the next six weeks. Winning keeps you advancing until only two teams are left standing for the championship. This weekend, New Canaan took their first steps toward that goal with a stellar win on their home field.
The game opened up with New Canaan coming out early and getting a breakaway goal from Ellie Gallois who was set up nicely on a pass from Ella Patterson. New Canaan’s offense pressured the Cheshire defense repeatedly and Ava Gizzie added a second goal just minute later when she was hit with a crossing pass from Addie Cannon.
The Red Team’s strategy of sharp passing and using the whole field to create opportunities proved effective as Stella Nolan scored the third goal of the game after Patterson once again created the play with her crossing pass. At this point Cheshire’s offense was unable to counter and was shut down by the New Canaan defensive effort. The first half came to close after Gizzie scored her second goal of the game leaving the score at 4-0 at the break.
New Canaan began the second half where they left off from the first with Ava Gizzie getting her second hat trick in two weeks. Gizzie blasted a shot past the Cheshire goalie to send the game to a 5-0 score. Once again the New Canaan defensive effort led by Kate Caione and Nola Kammerer proved to be an impenetrable barrier for Cheshire who found themselves constantly retreating to defend their end. As the half proceeded the Red Team’s offense continued to spread the ball around and dominate its possession. Evelyn Slatoff contributed to the tally when she scored on a pass from Gallois. Caroline Underwood would also add her name to the goal scorers after Katharine Byrne stole the ball from a Cheshire player and set up Underwood for the score. Patterson closed out the scoring with a goal of her own after having two assists on the day.
As witnessed by the list of goal scorers for the day, Saturday’s game was truly a team effort with contributions from the entire team on both offense and defense. Ball movement and passing to set up goal scoring opportunities was what led New Canaan to their 8-0 shutout victory. The Red Team’s ambition to make it to the finals is very realistic if they continue to play as they have shown they are capable of.
Sunday’s regular season game against the Fairfield United Soccer Association (FUSA) Red Team delivered back and forth excitement on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. The first half proved to be a defensive battle with Sage Hartslief leading the way with her perfect goal keeping. Neither team was able to post any goals in the half, which ended with 0-0 tie.
On the other hand, the second half was all about offense with Gizzie starting the charge on a breakaway goal to set the score at 1-0. This goal was answered with the FUSA team scoring minutes later to tie the game 1-1. Gizzie replied with her second goal of the game on a free kick that found the back of the net and once again New Canaan regained the lead at 2-1.
Fairfield would not lie down and continued to pressure the New Canaan defense and was able to score and tie the game at 2 all. As the second half pressed on, Katie Polacek answered back with a left footed goal to again regain the lead for New Canaan. Cannon created some breathing room by netting the forth New Canaan goal to make the score 4-2.
To add to the excitement Fairfield scored a third time and was threatening to come back when Gizzie added an insurance goal on a pass from Natalie Owsley. As the game clock expired New Canaan was victorious for the second time in two days with a final score of 5-3. It must be noted that Gizzie has scored a hat trick in each of the last three consecutive games for the New Canaan Red Team, an outstanding accomplishment.
Finlay Arrix (31) takes the ball from Greenwich. Contributed
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U9 Boys White New Canaan FC Come Back To Tie Greenwich 3-3
After a crushing 7-0 defeat against Wilton last week, U9 White Boys picked up the pace on Sunday with teamwork and enthusiasm to tie Greenwich 3-3.
U9 White dominated the 1st half with some impressive soccer skills and communication between teammates. The first goal of the season was scored by Tommy Havens (58). And after continued pressure on Greenwich, Sajan Shah (28) scored the second goal with an assist from Alex Russey (34).
The 2nd half proved to be more difficult for U9 White with Greenwich scoring three unanswered goals. But goalie Gregory Martin (35) made some fantastic saves to keep White in the game. And with just minutes left and after a flurry of activity in front of Greenwich’s goal, Brooks Thompson (26) tied the game with a beautiful shot off the right post.
The boys are heading to Fairfield this weekend on a high note.
New Canaan U13 Girls Black Team vs Bethel. Contributed
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New Canaan Girl’s U13 Black Builds Momentum with 6-2 Win vs. Bethel
The New Canaan U13 Girls Black Team vs Bethel started off rough on Sunday.
After going down two goals fairly quickly, New Canaan fought back hard and ended the half, 2-2. It was Amanda Miller who finally broke through Bethel’s defense and served a beautiful cross to Elizabeth St George who put us back in the game with our first goal. The fire was sparked and it was Macy Owsley who tied it up before the end of the half.
Elizabeth St George as she scored a hat trick on Sunday. Contributed
The girls came back in the second half determined to win. Cameron Murphy plowed through the Bethels midfield to get the ball to St George who scored her second goal of the game. The energy continued to build and St George fired off another shot to score a hat trick. The fifth goal came from Miller off a corner kick from Sophie Lagarde and it was Owsley to finish with her second goal of the game. Through the entire second half, it was Ashlyn Neugeboren, Paige Volpe, Blaine Burke and Lagarde as well as Murphy who succeeded in holding back Bethel from scoring to keep the winning streak going.
Grace Crowell kicking through the defense, with Kiki Brainard and Meghan Driscoll there to support. Contributed
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U12 Girls Red Team Blanks Ridgefield
New Canaan’ U12 girls Red displayed a lot of fighting spirit to easily beat Ridgefield 6 to 2 on a glorious Sunday afternoon at Connor Field.
The girls are coming off a strong first place finish performance at the John Jay Tournament that happened over Labor Day.
Leading goal scorer for the game against Ridgefield was Grace Crowell with two goals. Other goals were scored by Kiki Brainard, Caitlin Tully, Kaleigh Harden and Meghan Driscoll.
A stout defensive effort prevented Ridgefield from shooting on goal for the majority of the game. Up 6-0, with the “Mercy Rule” in place, the New Canaan side had to posses the ball and focus on playing back and switching.
Players of the game went to Jade Lowe, who played extremely well at center-mid and Hollis Mulry, who showed great team spirit by playing goalie in the second half of the game. The victorious Red team now anxiously awaits the CT Cup games that start this Saturday, Sept. 26.
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Team Effort for NC Boys U12 Black in 3-0 Win Over Bridgeport
The New Canaan Boys U12 Black team had a big 3-0 win on a beautiful Sunday afternoon playing on turf in Bridgeport.
Jack Greiner scored in the 7th minute on a breakaway with a expertly placed shot, and Gavin Harris followed with a tally in the 27th minute after persistent pursuit of the ball and a clever quick shot.
Michael Riley blasted an insurance goal from the top of the box at the 67th minute. Cole Schubert and Evan Hayes combined efforts in goal to thwart some strong chances by the Bridgeport team and keep the shutout intact.
It was a great team effort for the boys, as everyone contributed to the victory.
U9 Red shows Greenwich how to hustle toward a ball. Contributed
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New Canaan Red U9 Girls Soccer Team Quenches Greenwich Sparks 6-1
The New Canaan Red U-9 Girls soccer team returned to its winning ways on Sunday with a decisive 6-1 victory over the Greenwich U9G Sparks.
Under a gorgeous late summer sky, the NC Red girls took to the field with a spunk and swagger not normally seen in opening play.
The Greenwich Sparks were quickly pushed on the defensive as the NC Red girls served up round over round of offensive attacks on goal. Within five minutes, the Greenwich Sparks succumbed to the unrelenting pressure as Madison “Maddy” Hartnett rocketed a shot into the far corner of the goal on a well-timed assist from Madeline Tully.
Sydney Patten followed up five minutes later with a dazzling march up the right side of the pitch and a brilliant cross-over shot that found the opposite corner of the net. After several more feints and thrusts by the NC Red offense, Hartnett broke from a pack of defenders near the goal to push one past a surprised Greenwich keeper. The NC Red girls spent the rest of the half launching several more assaults on goal including a stealthy “Nutmeg” (through the legs) roller from Julia McPhillips and a stolen goal kick from Lila Gizzie that she planted in the back of the net. The NC Red defense, anchored by keeper Kallie Patterson, remained unchallenged through the first half.
With a dominating 6-0 lead going into the second half, the NC Red team invoked the mercy rule and spent the rest of the game practicing their passing and recycling maneuvers at the expense of a befuddled Greenwich team. Many of the girls could also be seen practicing an unnamed soccer move—sort of a modified Maradona—purportedly on the promise of an ice cream reward for success.
With less than two minutes of play remaining, the Greenwich team finally found success, bringing the game to its ultimate final score of 6-1.