Granby Boys Spoil Enfield Senior Night

Daniel Clark scored a pair of breakaway goals and the Granby Memorial defense held Enfield in check, lifting the Bears to a 4-0 victory in North Central Connecticut Conference boys soccer action on Enfield's artificial turf field Tuesday night.

"We had some trouble in the beginning with the surface because it's a little faster than what we're used to," Granby coach Dave Emery said. "We have some quality guys like Peter Brodeur, who plays center midfield for us and clearly feels very comfortable on that surface."

Granby tallied the only goal it would need less than 15 minutes into the contest. Carlin Champion blasted a shot off the left goal post, but Matthew McTeague booted home the rebound past Raiders goalkeeper Nick Romei.

Clark scored his first goal with 5:46 left in the opening half, sprung loose by a pass from Brodeur.

Following halftime ceremonies honoring the senior players from both schools, the Bears went right back to work, with Clark netting his second goal 5:58 into the second session. Less than five minutes later, Mike Noyes completed the scoring, assisted by Champion.

"We've struggled a bit this year with putting the ball in the net, but tonight we had it," Emery said.

Enfield coach John Mancuso echoed similar thoughts about his team.

"It's been one of those years where we can'tfind the back of the net," Mancuso said. "We start out like gangbusters and then we fizzle out. We've tried every different combination of players known, and something's not there."

David Gottschalk and Connor Hoeckle combined for just two saves in posting the shutout in goal for the Bears. Romei stopped 12 shots in the Enfield net.

With the victory, Granby (6-3-3) clinched a spot in the Class M state tournament. The Bears are back in action Thursday, hosting SMSA at 3:45 p.m.

Enfield (2-7-2) tries to snap an eight-game winless skid Friday, traveling to Windsor Locks for a 3:45 p.m. start.