Wilton-Lyndeborough boys’ soccer clinches playoff birth
Published: 10-21-2024 1:09 PM |
The Wilton-Lyndeborough boys’ soccer squad earned a playoff berth Friday night with a 1-0 victory over Pittsfield under the lights.
“When these guys click, they’re impressive,” said Wilton-Lyndeborough coach Dan Nelson. “Better communication and passing are the key to winning.”
Earlier in the month, Wilton-Lyndeborough defeated Pittsfield 3-0. Both teams entered Friday’s contest with identical records of five wins, six losses and three ties. Charlie Mayzs of the Warriors fed teammates with some sharp passes early, but Wilton was unable to capitalize on them, notching only one shot on goal in the first 12 minutes.
At the other end, Ben Jacob held the line in goal, coming well out of his crease to quash a breakaway by Pittsfield. Efficient passing by the visiting Panthers helped them to control most of the play early on.
The Warriors’ best chance of the first half came with a throw-in by Arrion Murphy, but Korey Begley sent the feed just wide of the goal.
Pittsfield came back and earned a penalty kick that Jacob handled with ease, and a rebound went wide of the net, sending things into halftime scoreless.
“Go to the ball,” said Panthers coach Logan LaRoche to his squad at halftime. “Grab every single 50/50 ball. And you have to start sharing the ball.”
Nelson again stressed communication with his squad.
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“We just need one,” he said.
With 16:30 gone in the second half, Begley fed Harry Krug, who sent a laser of a shot high toward Pittsfield crossbar. Panther goalie Trevor Dantor leaped and deflected it upward, but not enough, and it fell behind him to break the tie. The goal shifted momentum on the field, as a header toward the net by Krug and a curler by Begley soon followed, but Dantor barred the door both times.
Panther Cam Witham drove to the Wilton net and unleashed a bullet as the seconds ticked down, but Jacob preserved the shutout.
“This match was well fought by both teams,” said Warrior Colbey Collins after the game.
“We really capitalized,” said Krug.”It’s great to accomplish this on Senior Night.”
The Warriors will take on Hinsdale at home on Oct. 24.