The New Canaan U9 Girls Red finished their spring season with back-to-back games this past weekend, tying Fairfield 3-3 and defeating Stamford 4-0.

New Canaan ties Fairfield 3-3

On Saturday the New Canaan Girls U9 Red faced off against Fairfield Team-1 in the peak afternoon heat. Both teams battled for control of the ball, but it was New Canaan that struck first. Lexie Tully intercepted a Fairfield throw in and delivered a beautiful cross to Ava Pertusiello who fired a shot to the low left corner of the net. The Red scored again off a corner kick from Lila Volpe. Tully saved the ball from going out of bounds and connected with Pertusiello in front of the net, who launched a high shot to the top right corner of the goal.

New Canaan’s defense held tough with Maggie Murphy, Devon Russell and Kailee See frustrating their opponents and clearing the ball up the field. Isabel Cavanagh and Tema Wagner played exceptionally well at mid-field and hustled back to help the defense and disrupt Fairfield’s offensive attempts. First half goalie Kathryn Norton made several difficult saves, but Fairfield was able to score their first goal off a scramble in front of the net. Fiona Mueller initiated New Canaan’s response with drive down the middle and hard shot that rebounded off the goalie. Tully was in perfect position to pick up the rebound and put New Canaan up 3-1 at the half.

Fairfield came out aggressive in the second half and scored early to make it a one goal game. As the half progressed, both teams seemed to be laboring under the heat. The play was very physical with control of the ball changing hands several times. However, Fairfield was able to capitalize once again just before the final whistle and avoid defeat with a 3-3 tie.

New Canaan blanks Stamford 4-0

After a short rest, New Canaan came out Sunday fired up for their last game of the spring season against the Stamford Hurricanes. Isabel Cavanagh ignited the offense when she placed a perfect pass up the field to Kelly Polacek who beat two defenders and fired a hard shot in the goal. As was the case all season, New Canaan’s defense was a brick wall. Defenders Kathryn Norton, Maggie Murphy and Alexandra Gelvin, along with goalie Lexi Tully, proved impervious and led New Canaan to a 1-0 lead after the first half.

The Red came out in the second half determined to finish the season off strong. Unsatisfied with a one goal lead they never let up and dominated with their stellar passing game. Devon Russell continued the offensive momentum when she connected with Tully who drove the ball in the lower right corner. Then it was Polacek again as she raced down the right sideline and launched a perfect shot in the high left corner. The offense was relentless as Lila Volpe and Fiona Mueller peppered Stamford’s goal with shots. Much like the day before, New Canaan’s final strike began when Katie Quill penetrated Stamford’s defense and took a hard shot that rebounded off the goalie. Polacek was in the perfect position to pick up the rebound and drilled the ball home for a 4-0 lead. New Canaan held Stamford scoreless for the remainder of the game thanks to the combined goal tending efforts of Mueller and Ava Pertusiello.

Photo: Maggie Murphy drives toward the goal during New Canaan’s 4-0 win against the Stamford Hurricanes on Sunday.