Wilton Wildfire Advance in Wild State Cup Tournament Win

The Wilton Wildfire enjoyed a thrilling victory on Saturday over the Portland Fire in the U-13 league.

The Wildfire garnered a 2-1 win over the Fire on penalty kicks to advance in their tournament.

Substitute coach Jamie Lynch put in a strong offensive line in the first half with Sarah Fitzgerald, Riley McPhee, Rachel Gordon and Lauren White all trying to push forward with excellent passing from the center midfield group of Karen Brosko, Hailey Howard and Lila Seymour.

Even with the fast runs of lateral midfielders Rebecca Hersch and Mary Lynch, no balls found their way into the opponents net in the first half. Despite Wilton's dominant left and right backs, Taylor Ingerman and Isabel Saltzman, Portland was able to bring the ball down center past Witons center defenders to put one in the Wilton net, giving Portland a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Reenergized at the half when coach Dan Speirits arrived, the center defensive players Holmgren and Previte solidified and the work rate of the offense increased to keep Portland's constant attack all but shut down. 

Well into the second half, Claire Graham sent a touch off her foot into the Portland net during a chaotic scramble in the box to put Wilton into contention. At the end of the initial 70 min. period the game was tied 1-1. 

Five players (Howard, Graham, Fitzgerald, Lynch, and Holmgren) all challenged the Portland keeper in penalty kicks and were scoreless.  However, Wilton's experienced and focused keeper Daria Acosta-Rua was able to block all Portland's penalty kick attempts to keep the game tied 1-1. 

Wilton then put up the sure shot, Karen Brosko, who bent one in to the left side of Portland net to make the game 2-1.  Portland was unable to put their final attempt past Acosta-Rue's trademark orange jersey and the field erupted into applause for Wilton. 

Wilton must now challenge SWD team Easton/Redding at home prior to making it into the quarterfinals.