New Canaan's U11 Girls Red Advance in CT Cup Tourney

New Canaan’s U11 Girls Red soccer team will continue on to the third round of the CT Cup tournament after a decisive 10-3 victory over East Lyme on Saturday.

Playing on the road, New Canaan’s Dillyn Patten stunned the home team by scoring two goals within the first two minutes of play.

Her front line teammate Kiki Brainard added a third goal just a few minutes later. Maintaining relentless pressure on East Lyme’s defense, New Canaan continued their attack on goal and added three additional goals by the end of the first half — two more for Patten and another for Brainard.

Defensively, New Canaan’s Avery Minter, Kaleigh Harden and Caitlin Tully completely shut down the East Lyme offense winning tackle after tackle and moving the ball beautifully up the field. New Canaan keeper Grace Crowell was confident in the net, holding East Lyme to only one goal — a penalty kick late in the half.

Starting the second half up 6-1, New Canaan’s coach Gwyn Jones made the strategic decision to highlight his team’s excellent passing game.

The girls continued to control the pace of the game and demonstrated their impressive command of the ball and poise on the field.

Although usually found playing center defense, teammates Kaleigh Harden and Emma Lamaker led the offense each finding the back of the net in the second half. Equally impressive was Grace Crowell who added two goals of her own, including a gorgeous lob from almost mid-field.

The East Lyme girls did not give up and tested goalkeeper Kiki Brainard who made several challenging saves. Although Brainard was well protected by the defensive duo of Madeleine McLaughlin and Ashley Barton, East Lyme managed to score a second goal on another penalty kick and then sneaked a third goal in the corner of the net.

New Canaan would come home with the victory – final score 10-3. New Canaan faces Trumbull United Dynamite in the third round of the CT Cup on Saturday, October 4.

Pictured above - New Canaan keeper Kiki Brainard makes a challenging save against East Lyme on Saturday.