The New Canaan Soccer Girls U10 Red Team Wins Thriller in Westport

On a beautiful autumn Sunday in Westport, the New Canaan Soccer Girls U10 Red Team closed their season with a spectacular 4-3 victory over Westport Blue. Having lost a heart breaker to Westport previously in the season, the Red Team traveled to Westport looking for redemption in this divisional rematch.

The season finale began with both teams coming out strong and smartly cycling the ball around the pitch. The defenses were keen and the score held at 0-0 for the first ten minutes. The New Canaan defense, led by Caroline Underwood tending goal, repelled multiple Westport attacks before finally allowing the first goal of the game. Down by a goal the Red team battled hard but Westport once again found the net leaving New Canaan a two goal deficit.

With time running out in the half, New Canaan’s offense came to life and was pressuring the Westport zone when Ava Gizzie blasted a shot from twenty yards away that left the Westport goalie no chance to make a save. With the gap down to one goal the first half came to an end with Westport on top 2-1.

As the second half began both teams came out energized to play their last minutes of the season. Ellie Gallois tended the net for the second half, and made a number of saves to slow down the Westport attacks. However, once again the Blue team managed to score midway through the half setting the score at 3-1.

With only 15 minutes left in the game, New Canaan did not get down and courageously battled back. The offense turned up the heat on Westport and Caroline Underwood broke up the field to beat the Blue team goalie and chip away at the Westport lead making the score 3-2.

New Canaan continued on the attack and once again quickly scored the equalizer when Katharine Byrne put a beautiful shot over the Westport goalie after receiving a crossing pass from Nola Kammerer. With the time ticking away, the Red team had the momentum and the spirit to make one last press into the Westport zone. As the New Canaan forwards worked the ball up the field, Ava Gizzie caught site of Saige Hartslief in the box and delivered a perfect crossing pass. Hartslief obliged and totally connected with the ball, blasting a shot past the Westport goalie to give New Canaan the lead for the first time of the day. Leading the game 4-3, New Canaan was able to hold off Westport for the final minute and went on to an exciting victory.

The Red Team showed a lot of heart and never quit when the going got tough. Sunday’s victory was truly a collective effort and reflected the way this team approached their winning 6 and 3 season.

Photo: Ava Gizzie breaks away up the field.