New Canaan U11 Girls Red Win Season Opener 4-0 Against Wilton Blue

Submitted by Amy Lamaker, publicity co-ordinator for the team:

The New Canaan Soccer U11 Girls Red team, coached by Gwyn Jones, kicked off their regular season with a decisive 4-0 win against Wilton Blue. Coming off a second-place finish in the John Jay Labor Day Tournament, the girls were anxious to get out on the pitch and assert their division dominance.

Although the first half brought intense action in both halves of the field, the New Canaan front line displayed impressive passing and footwork, ultimately scoring three goals before the half-time whistle blew.

On a beautiful assist by Jade Lowe, Caitlin Tully scored goal number one for New Canaan. Avery Minter’s speed and hustle in the mid-field set up Kiki Brainard to score the team’s second goal of the day.

Brainard was also responsible for the third goal of the half with a long-distance shot straight into the net. Quality defense by Kaleigh Harden and Angelica Megdanis prevented New Canaan goalkeeper Hollis Mulry from seeing much action.

Although down 3-0, Wilton stepped up the heat in the second half with strong pressure on the New Canaan defense.

Keeper Kaleigh Harden’s “Tim Howard-like” display kept a clean sheet for New Canaan, while the offense, led by Dillyn Patten and Grace Crowell, had several quality shots on the Wilton goal. Katie Perlitz secured a New Canaan win with a left-footed blast past the keeper.

Overall, an impressive season debut for the U11 Girls Red team. The New Canaan team takes its show on the road when the players face off against FUSA (Fairfield) U11 Girls Red on Sunday, Sept. 14.