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NEW CANAAN, Conn. Taking on a team such as Staples High, the players on the New Canaan High boys soccer team knew they would have few chances to score against the defending conference champions. The Rams tried to create those chances, but luck was not on their side.
Jon-Luke Ferrandino and Steven Valente each had a shot off the post and each missed wide on breakaway chances. Staples survived the New Canaan onslaught to win, 1-0, and clinch a conference tournament berth.
At least we had the opportunities. Thats a positive thing I took from this, New Canaan head coach Victor Sanchez said. Youve got to have some luck, though. Unfortunately, it didnt bounce our way.
Lorenz Esposito sent a perfect lead pass to Max Hoberman, who went one-on-one with Rams goalie Scott Levene. Hoberman went to the near post on his right, rocketing a shot past Levene's dive.
New Canaan turned up the heat in the second half with 10 shots at the goal in the final 40 minutes, but Staples goalkeeper James Hickok was up to the task. And even when he wasnt, the iron was kind to the Wreckers.
Levene took a free kick from midfield in the 52nd minute that slipped past the defenders. Ferrandino went unopposed to the net and tried to head the bouncing ball but missed just wide left. Six minutes later he had a shot glance off the left post.
Valente had even better opportunities but could not net the equalizer. In the 70th minute, he beat a Staples defender and raced 20 yards unopposed to the net. His shot went wide right.
Just a few minutes later, Valente had everyone beat, sneaking a slide-kick past Hickok and two Staples defenders. That shot clanged off the left post, though, and was kicked away before it could trickle over the goal line.
With the loss, New Canaan falls to the seventh seed in the conference tournament with two games remaining to clinch a playoff spot. The Rams travel to top-ranked Norwalk on Monday for a 7 p.m. game.
The past three games we havent started strong. Weve ended well, but weve come out slow, Sanchez said. It is almost like the playoffs are starting early. These last two games are going to be really important. If we dont play well, we could be on the outside looking in.
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