U11 Girls Red Continue Their Winning Ways

It was a busy weekend for New Canaan’s U11 Girls Red soccer team with first round action of the CT Cup tournament on Saturday, and a regular season game against Fairfield’s Red Storm on Sunday.

Saturday’s first round game of the CT Cup was played at home against Wilton Blue, a team New Canaan had already beat twice this season. Wilton’s familiarity with the team proved helpful in keeping the game evenly matched for the first 30 minutes of the half. However, New Canaan finally broke through with 5 minutes left before the halftime whistle, with Dillyn Patten scoring on an assist from Hadley Beiles. Keeper Avery Minter was strong in goal as she kept Wilton off the scoreboard.

New Canaan ultimately proved to be too strong for their opponent as they added two more goals in the second half. Off a well-placed pass by Katie Perlitz, Jade Lowe’s left-footed shot found its way past the keeper.

New Canaan’s third and final goal started with Avery Minter streaking down the right side, finding Dillyn Patten in perfect scoring position in front of the goal.

New Canaan continues their Cup run with second round action on Saturday, September 27.

Using the momentum gained from Saturday’s win, New Canaan hit the road to face Fairfield’s Red Storm on Sunday. On a soggy, choppy field, New Canaan found their footing right out of the gate to score their first goal within minutes – a gorgeous chip shot by Kiki Brainard. Fairfield answered back almost immediately and slipped one by the New Canaan goalkeeper. Hadley Beiles was not about to let the score remain tied for long and put one in the net off the assist by Caitlin Tully. Using excellent teamwork and beautiful passing, the U11 girls worked like a well-oiled machine moving the ball up the field to set the offense up to score.

Goal number three was a result of this teamwork with Dillyn Patten setting up Grace Crowell for the shot. The “dynamic duo” of Patten and Crowell were responsible for New Canaan’s fourth goal of the half as well; Patten took an awesome shot on goal which the Fairfield keeper blocked only to have the ball hit the crossbar and land perfectly positioned for Crowell to blast it in the net.

Defensively, New Canaan was just as impressive, with Kaleigh Harden and Madeleine McLaughlin leading the back four with their ability to win tackles and pass the ball quickly to their offensive counterparts. Although keeper Emma Lamaker was in control of the net for most of the first half, Fairfield was able to sneak another shot past her after Fairfield got control of a drop ball near the net.

With a 4-2 lead at the start of the second half, New Canaan continued their relentless pressure on the Fairfield defense with their formidable control of the ball and penetrating passing game. Front line teammates Jade Lowe, Grace Crowell, Dillyn Patten and Caitlin Lowe were determined to increase their lead over Fairfield. Lowe, assisted by Crowell and Tully, off the set up by Hollis Mulry, each found the net in the second half. Midfielder Angelica Megdanis also added to New Canaan’s tally with a goal of her own.

Fairfield was not without their chances to score in the second half, most notably when awarded a penalty by the referee. Facing the lone Fairfield striker was goalkeeper Ashley Barton who made the impressive save to keep Fairfield at two goals.

Sunday’s 7-2 victory over Fairfield places the U11 Girls Red in first place of their division. They next face rival Darien Blue at home next Sunday.