New Canaan Girls U10 Red notch 3-1 win over FUSA Red 2

Photo: Kelly Polacek drives down the field during the Girls U10 Red’s win against Fairfield on Sunday.

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.