Tolland Boys Soccer Knocks Off Ellis Tech in Class M Opener

Two weeks ago on senior day, Tolland boys soccer head coach Jim Leahy reflected on his graduating class while also making the point that their time together wasn’t done yet.

A flurry of early goals assured they’ll be together at least one more game, as No. 20 Tolland downed No. 13 Ellis Tech 5-1 in the opening round of the Class M playoffs Friday at HH Ellis Tech High School in Killingly.

After a sluggish start in which they controlled play but couldn’t capitalize on their chances, the Eagles ripped off three goals in just under three minutes midway through the first period.

“Like I’ve said all year, our guys are really good when they want to be good and we can be really bad when we’re sluggish,” Leahy said.  “You saw a little of both today.”

The early outburst was sparked by Dave Arute, who came off the bench to score Tolland’s first two goals in a span of 32 seconds.

Colton Bridge drove up the right post and unleashed a shot from close in that Ellis Tech keeper Matthew Snay slid to stop. But Arute got the rebound and put Tolland up 1-0 in the 17th minute. 

“I came of the bench fresh and my legs were quick,” he said. “I just followed up on the post and the ball kept coming to me.”

The Golden Eagles (10-6) barely had time to reset when Dylan Roman lofted a long shot from far out on the right wing that found its way to Arute again.

“I thought the keeper was going to get it and it bounced right through his hands and hit me in the chest,” Arute said.

Geoff Desmarias capped the scoring with a rocket from twenty yards out that whistled through a crowd of players and past Snay.

“When guys are taking a shot you should run hard to the far post,” Leahy said. “[Arute] had two tap-ins at the back post that were hard to miss unless you’re not there. We haven’t had a lot of goals that way so I’m really happy to see that.”

Tyson Bridge and Trevor King added the final two goals for Tolland in the second half. King’s score came just seconds after  cut Tolland’s lead to 4-1 with just over ten minutes left in the game.

Eagles keeper Eric Venezia was rarely tested, making one save while Snay finished with 15 saves.

Due to the weather, the Eagles had just one game over the last two weeks, a 1-0 loss to E.O. Smith Tuesday.

“Over the break we weren’t really together at all,” Leahy said.  But this is the state tournament; this is what we play for. If you can’t get up for these games, you can’t get up for anything.”

This is the second year in a row these teams have met in the opening round, with Tolland taking a 7-1 home win last year before falling to Griswold 2-1 in penalty kicks in the second round.

Tolland (8-4-4) will face the winner of the Montville-Windham game Monday at 2 p.m.