Boys Soccer: South Windsor Stuns Glastonbury

The South Windsor High boys soccer team avenged its toughest loss of the season with a 2-0 victory over Glastonbury High on Friday afternoon.

“Today we played a good game against the best team we play in the regular season,” head coach Dave St. Jean said in a telephone interview. “It shows we can play with good teams and and that we took a step forward toward beating them.”

After Bobcats forward Christian Lopes scored in the fifth minute, the South Windsor defense - Evan Cheman, Jeff Allen, Matt Goodall, Bobby Chambers, Brian Chambers and Michael Tarascio - all combined to keep Glastonbury off the board. Goalkeeper Eric Hintz had a monster gave, making 16 saves.

“We played very well defensively,” St. Jean said. “They didn’t have a lot of great chances, but they had a lot of half chances.”

South Windsor, for its part, kept Glastonbury on its heels on the counterattack, with Steven Battaglini salting the game away in the 78th minute to put the Bobcats up 2-0.

The victory kept alive South Windsor’s slim chances of grabbing a share of the CCC North title, as the Bobcats improved to 10-2-1 in the CCC North (12-2-1 overall), while Glastonbury fell to 11-1-1 in the conference (also 12-2-1 overall).

A South Windsor victory in the final game of the regular season coupled with a Glastonbury loss would leave both teams tied in the conference.

“We came in two games behind them in standings knowing had to win today and that we need to get lucky Monday,” St. Jean said. “We were playing for pride; it was their Senior Day, so it was an emotional day for them.”

In addition to spoiling their major rival’s Senior Day, South Windsor also avenged the toughest loss of the season, a 2-0 drubbing on Oct. 1 at home to the Tomahawks.

“Anytime you beat Glastonbury is satisfying,” St. Jean said. “They’re such a quality program. Anytime you get a win against them is special.”

With victories over East Catholic - the other team to defeat the Bobcats this year - and Glastonbury this week, South Windsor is rounding into form as the tournament approaches.

“We’re really interested in playing well this time of year and hopefully we’re taking the steps to make that happen,” St. Jean said.