Each week, GOOD Morning Wilton will run news of weekend results and scores from Wilton Youth sports teams. Please send all stories and updates, along with a photo to editor@goodmorningwilton.com by noon on Monday of each week. Stories received after the deadline may not be included. Results write-ups will be grouped by sport and published in the order they are received.
U10 Wilton Boys White Fight Hard but Fall to Bridgeport, 1-4
The U10 Wilton Boys White battled a scorching hot turf and a tough Bridgeport team in an exciting match on Saturday, April 29.
Wilton held Bridgeport in the first half with save after exciting save by Toby Plowright in goal (below), and solid defending by Conor Toohill and Nathanial Kalter. The boys ran the field to tie the game 1-1 at the half with a well executed goal from Tyler Coppola, assisted by Kenji Sahay.
The second half started with a spectacular high jump save by Evan Arghirescu in goal. The midfield ran hard with some great runs by Matthew Martins, Liam Christ and Quinn Minozzi, which positioned Andrew Partenza for runs deep inside the Bridgeport defense.
Unfortunately, the heat and a lack of communication proved too much for Wilton, resulting in a final score of 1-4 and a tough loss on the road.
Wilton U10 Boys Blue Go 4-0 at Weekend Tournament
The Wilton U10 Boys Blue team spent the weekend participating in the Hartwell Spring Soccer Tournament where they compiled a 4-0 record winning all of their games in convincing fashion and winning their division.
With a goal differential of 30-2 in favor of Wilton, this was a complete team effort throughout the weekend as the team showed off their depth and versatility as goals were scored by eight different players with assists by all 12 players while using several goalies to help stymie any offensive chances for the other teams, including a clutch diving save of a penalty kick by Will Soucy.
The offensive attack was led by Maddox Backman, Alesandro Ochoa and Jack Crossen who all had at least three goals in different games while Matt Demassi, Luke Perna, Amit Solomon, Evan Lalor and Soucy all scored multiple goals and assisted on several beautiful goals as crisp passing and unselfish play led to scoring opportunities throughout the weekend.
On the defensive side, the brick wall of Finn Burke, Jack Barker, Stefano Cross and Charlie Roy was superb as there were three different halves where the other team did not record a shot on goal. Burke was relentless with his side-to-side speed and hustle while Cross, Barker and Roy started many offensive chances for the team with great outlet passes that led to multiple goals.
Wilton 2008 Blue Girls Defeat Bethel, 6-3
On Sunday, April 30, the Wilton 2008 Blue girls soccer team–down several players, yet determined to play using only one sub–met their Bethel opponents who had home field advantage. The first half saw early ball possession for the Wilton girls, who showed nice work passing and using the field to find their teammates.
The Wilton offense, made up of Kira Rafferty, Schuyler Groves and Charlotte Mannix, saw early opportunities to work together to set up the ball for the cross and finish. Mannix used her patience and kept her focus to make her shot, and put the ball in the left corner of the net. Pressure on the Bethel defense continued, as Ella Loughran scored another goal for the Warriors, using wonderful ball control while moving through four defenders to face the goalie one-on-one and take her shot. Arden Taubin took a forward position when a Wilton player was injured, and used the change up to demonstrate her skill in driving the ball forward, taking multiple shots on goal and scoring twice, to bring the game to a 4-0 lead for Wilton. Bethel answered with a swift break away goal of their own, the only one given up by Maia Andjelkovic in the first half. Her defense, lead by Lilli Todd, Kerry Dodman and, at times, Mannix (who would fall back to give additional support), worked tirelessly to hold the back line. One more goal made by Mannix off a great play set up by teammate Loughran would set Wilton 5-1 at the end of the half.
After some much needed rest, water and snack at the halftime break, the Warriors took the field once again. Changing up the lines, Rafferty, Loughran and Taubin took the offense lead, supported by a determined defense of Mannix, Todd and Andjelkovic holding the back line, and Dodman in goal. The Bethel offense opened the second half with greater intensity, giving the Wilton defense a challenge. Wilton worked on looking for their player and calling for the ball, developing their communication on the field. Groves, back in the game after a minor injury, returned with fresh energy and used her speed to run the ball up the wing to make beautiful crosses in front of the Bethel goal. Her determination to find her striker was thwarted by the Bethel defender each time. Taubin saw an opportunity to score another goal, bringing the score to 6-1. Wilton worked on set plays as well. As second-half goalie, Dodman made a brave save after facing down a Bethel penalty kick, and Taubin served up a good corner kick. Andjelkovic, Todd and Mannix consistently won one-on-one balls to hold the Bethel offense at bay for much of the second half. However, twice Bethel was able to seize a breakaway and score to bring the final to 6-3, Wilton. The girls showed great teamwork developing through balls, finding their teammates and using the field. Their continued development and love of the game is exciting to watch!