Not even a Hollywood screenwriter could have scripted the path of New Canaan High School boys soccer team to the Class L state finals for the second straight year. It took a wild, wacky, whirlwind overtime period and penalty kicks to keep their hope alive, but the Rams survived the Watertown Indians, 3-2 (9-8 PK).
After a scoreless 85 minutes, Steve Valente broke the stalemate. But with five minutes remaining, two defenders screened goalie Scott Levene, and Watertown's Nick Polletta sent a beautiful shot into the right corner of the net for the equalizer. The drama was just beginning.
Less than two minutes later, disaster struck as the Rams' defense was caught out of position. Polletta again challenged Levene, who saved it, but Arian Hoxha scored on the rebound. With just 2:30 left in the second overtime period, the Rams needed a miracle. And they got one.
New Canaan attacked the net, playing for their playoff lives, when Hoxha was called for a handball in the box, resulting in an automatic penalty kick with just 53 seconds to play. Then Scott Levene came racing up the field to take the kick.
"I'm taking it!" Levene shouted to his coach, Victor Sanchez.
"Really?" Sanchez shouted back.
There was no doubt on Levene's face. He easily beat the Watertown keeper, saving the season and sending the match into a penalty kick period. New Canaan and Watertown traded goals, reaching an 8-8 tie. Andrew Perone put in the go-ahead goal, with Levene needing to make just one stop. He finally did, ending an instant classic and returning his team to the Class L finals.
"After [Watertown] took the lead, I thought that was it," Levene said. "But there was that little feeling inside of me that we always come back. We're known for the upsets. We're the 19th seed in this tournament, but we knew we could pull off a run like we've had."
In the final, New Canaan will play the winner of today's Bunnell vs. Berlin match.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
