Welcome to the fifth installment of “Set Piece”, the Southington High School Soccer team’s blog spot.
Blue Knight’s on the Pitch: A look Back and a Look Forward
Varsity:
Rain on Monday lead to the postponement of the Bristol Center game to Thursday. This meant that the Blue Knights would be playing back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday. As the boys traveled to Bristol Central, it would present a rare opportunity to play on a grass field. Thursday was the first day of fall but the boys faced continued warm conditions. Southington pushed the action early and the hard work lead to the first goal of the game by Joe Calaccino. Still in the first half, Cameron Zegzdryn extended the lead off a header into the back of the net. The first half ended with the Blue Knight leading 2-0. The Blue Knights continued to push the action in second half and Hayden Burbank sealed the game mid-way through the half off of a penalty kick. The lead presented the opportunity for many players to see action with some boys getting their first taste of varsity soccer.
Entering the Friday’s match against Glastonbury, the Blue Knights where expecting a competitive hard fought affair and the game matched expectations. From the first whistle, the action was physical and the pace of play very quick. Southington broke through first on a goal by Joe Calaccino off of a fantastic cross from Dan Topper. Glastonbury then scored off of a deflected free quick and the first half ended with that match even at 1-1. Shortly into the second half, Glastonbury found the back of the net with their second goal and the Blue Knights fell behind 2-1. Southington continued to battle for the remainder of the half and had to fight hard for scoring chances and had a couple of good looks as the game clock expired but ultimately the 2-1 score held up and the boys had another tough loss to a quality opponent.
The Varsity team record at the end of this week is 2-2-1.
Freshman:
The Southington Freshman team played two matches on Tuesday and Thursday this week. On Tuesday, the Blue Knights, playing with a short bench, beat Bristol Center 7-0. The Southington scoring barrage was fueled on goals by Ryan Dadonna, Joey Tellerico, Mathew Maciejewski, Ray Cocozza, Chris Chaplinsky (2 goals) and Caleb Richert. On Thursday, the boys had a home match against Wethersfield. This was a very competitive match from the beginning and the Blue Knights found themselves under constant pressure. Even with hard work on the defense by Marek Kryzanski and Evan DeSandre, the Blue Knights fell 4-0.
Looking forward to next week
The Blue Knights Varsity team will travel to Berlin on Tuesday (9/27) at 6pm. The annual traditional of the Southington United Game will continue with a home match against New Britain on Friday 9/30. Proceeds generated from the game will be donated to the United Way. This event provides our Southington Soccer players and families with an opportunity to bring together our collective passion for the game of soccer with the opportunity and responsibility to give back to the community in which we live. Support for this great event is generated by our Southington community coming out and enjoying a night of soccer and community spirit, so please plan to join us on Friday, September 30th at 6pm.
Another Chance to Meet Our Boys in the Community
The Blue Knights Soccer team will once again be supporting the Southington Soccer Alumni booth at the Apple Harvest Festival starting on Friday 9/30. Funds raised by the Southington Alumni booth are used to support the Southington High School Soccer program. The boys have a great time working in the booth and allows for another opportunity with the special connection that they have with their alumni. Please stop by on both weekends of the Apple Harvest festival and support the booth and meet some of the boys that put in the hard work to represent our high school on the soccer field.
Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Blue Knights Soccer
On Sunday October 9th, there will be a Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s in Plainville from 8am – 10am to support the Southington High School soccer program. Members of the soccer team will be serving breakfast to all of their guests. Tickets are available from any player in the program and will also be available at the Southington Soccer Alumni booth at the Apple Harvest Festival.
I would like to thank Mark Maciejewski for volunteering to be the Freshman team sideline reporter for our blog. We are still looking for someone to cover the JV games. If you would like to provide highlights from the JV games, please send me an email at dzegzdryn@cox.net.