Boys Soccer: Pomperaug 2, Stratford 0

Pomperaug came away on top Thursday evening with a 2-0 victory over Stratford at their first road game of the season, despite a player getting suspended for spitting.

Coming just two days after their win at home to Bethel, no one would have been surprised to see the team start slowly.  But there was no hesitancy about their play as the Panthers looked to exert their dominance early in this game. Eric Helfer again opened the scoring for Pomperaug, this time from a set piece. A foul by a Stratford defender gave the Panthers a free-kick 30 yards away from goal. Helfer stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance of saving it.

The early goal settled Pomperaug's nerves and allowed them to play with more confidence.

"I think the whole team was really glad when we scored that first goal," said junior midfielder Josh Abromaitis. "Coach said we needed to score early against a team like Stratford, or else they would build momentum and confidence and before you know it you end up losing a game that you shouldn't lose."

The team was so composed that they added to the score only a few minutes later. A cross was played into the 18 yard box where it was headed out by a Stratford defender. It only got so far as Abromaitis who was waiting at the top of the box. He did well to take one touch and control the ball, and then rifle it into the back of the net.

The only dark spot of the game involved an altercation between Pomperaug midfielder Mike Burke and a Stratford player. Burke was shown a straight red card for spitting and the Stratford player received a yellow card. Burke will serve an automatic one game suspension, which means he will miss Pomperaug's crucial league matchup against Newtown.

Due to the circumstances surrounding his dismissal from the field of play Burke may face further punishment from Pomperaug Athletic Director Joseph Velardi.

Playing with a man down the Panthers were still able to stifle everything Stratford threw at them, and finished the game strongly. Their season record now stands at 2-0-0 and they have yet to concede a goal.

Pomperaug's next game is at home on Monday, Sept 20 at 7 p.m. The Panthers will face off against the Newtown Nighthawks in a crucial SWC matchup.