The New Canaan Soccer Girls U10 Red Team Shuts Out Darien 1-0

The New Canaan Soccer Girls U10 Red Team posted their third shutout of the season when they beat their rival the Darien Blue team on Sunday. On an unusually hot day in Darien, the Red and the Blue faced off for what turned out to be a scorcher of a game.

The first half of the game was a true battle for possession of the ball and field position. The New Canaan defense formed an impenetrable force to be reckoned with. Defensive players Kate Caione and Ava Gizzie shut down the Darien pressure by continually running down the Darien offense and turning the play around back up the field. Ella Patterson was perfect tending the goal for the first half and came up big with multiple saves to hold Darien scoreless.

As the game heated up the offense worked hard as a team moving the ball with precision passes and tactics, yet they were unable to find the net. Pressuring the Darien defense, New Canaan had multiple scoring opportunities but came up shy and the half ended with the game knotted at 0-0.

After a much needed half time break, the teams returned to the field and picked up where they left off. The tension of the game was palpable, but the momentum seemed to have shifted toward New Canaan as the Red Team offense controlled the tempo of the game. It was ten minutes into the half when Ella Patterson made a flawless crossing pass to Caroline Underwood who proceeded to blast a shot into the net. Underwood’s goal broke the tie and re-energized the team with a 1-0 lead.

As time ticked away, once again the New Canaan defense was rock solid. With nerves of steel, Sage Hartslief closed out the half in goal stopping Darien’s last minute attempts to tie the game. One goal was all that would be necessary on this day as Hartslief’s and Patterson’s goal tending combined for the 1-0 shutout victory.

Pics:

1- Ella Patterson punts the ball after making a save in goal.

2-Kate Caione controls the defensive position.

3-Katharine Byrne dribbles past a Darien defensive player.

4-Grace McManus and Nola Kammerer work the ball up the field.

5-Nola Kammerer, Ava Gizzie and Evelyne Slatoff close on the ball.

Wk