Boys Soccer Opens with Scoreless Tie Against Tigers

The Wilton boys soccer team opened this season the same way it started last year - by getting shut out.

The Warriors didn't suffer a losee, however, as they still managed to battle Ridgefield to a scoreless tie Tuesday afternoon at Lilly Field.

Wilton, blanked in its first five games a year ago,  was significantly outplayed  Tuesday, as Ridgefield hit two crossbars and a goal post while generating more scoring chances.

"I will take the one point [teams get in the standings for a tie]," Wilton coach Jim Lewicki added. "Our rivalry is always intense and physical with Ridgefield, but clean. Both teams respect each other.

No cards were issued for dirty play during the game.

Wilton goalkeeper Mike DeSantis, an all-FCIAC pick last season, rescued his teammates, facing five shots during a three-minute span midway through the second half.

Ridgefield coach Phil Bergen called it a case of "first-game jitters."

"I am proud of our guys, especially our sophomores forwards Sean Avelini, Joe DeVivo, and Connor Findley," Bergen said.  "We really settled down in the second half and took control, creating space and a lot of opportunities. 

"Last year, we only had one guy that we could depend on to be creative and score.  Now we appear to have three guys making us much more dangerous. Now I just have to figure out a way to create an in-game atmosphere to get them used to getting off their shots more effectively."

Despite Ridgefield's hustle, however, DeSantis and center back Graham Parson formed an impenetrable force field that Ridgefield was never quite able to solve.

"Our  defense played physical, but if the 'D' was perfect there wouldn't be a need for a goalie," DeSantis  said.

Wilton's Marc Godin appeared to suffer an arm injury and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

Lewicki would not comment on Godin's injury status.