Boys Soccer Clinches State Tourney Berth

The Wilton boys soccer team dominated Trinity Catholic in every facet of the game Tuesday afternoon at Lilly Field - except scoring.

One goal was enough, however, as Evan Roux scored midway through the second half to lift the Warriors to a 1-0 victory over the Crusaders.

With the victory, Wilton improved to 4-2-4 and clinched a spot in the state tournament.

"The kids probably played their best game today," beamed Wilton head coach Jim Lewicki, who was pleased with the team's second straight victory, but added, "we just have to put the ball in the net a lot more frequently."

Led by co-captain Roux, the Warriors out-shot the Crusaders, 15-1, and maintained a 6-0 edge in corner kicks.

Wilton fullbacks Kevin Houska and Graham Parsons deftly kept the ball out of their zone so that the Crusaders rarely threatened throughout the match.

Still, Wilton had trouble putting the ball in the net.  At the half, the two teams were locked in a scoreless tie. In the second half, the Warriors came alive. 

"We knew we had to score a goal," co-captain Dillon Weed said.  "We weren't getting out of here without at least one."

Weed and freshman Kyle Dedrick set the pace of the second half by firing stunning shots on goal and hitting the post on one.

Finally at the 22-minute mark, Wilton's Evan Owen kicked back-to-back corner kicks, the second of which was deflected nicely by Roux for the Warriors' one goal.

"Things became more urgent," said Dedrick in describing the change in play in the second half.  "People started making better runs, the team felt comfortable, we started putting things together.  It's just unfortunate we couldn't finish more, but a win's a win."

Up next for the Warriors is a game at Danbury on Thursday (4:15 p.m.).