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WESTPORT, Conn. The Greens Farms Academy girls soccer team knew it had a challenge, facing Greenwich Academy in the league semifinals. The Fairchester Athletic Association rival kept the Greens Farms offense from getting in gear Wednesday afternoon, as the Dragons were eliminated in a tough 2-0 loss.
Defense and superb passing ruled the day for Greenwich Academy, which kept Greens Farms from getting a shot for the first 30 minutes. Greens Farms was outshot 17-6, as Caroline Kruk and Meg Donovan were pressured all day, splitting time in net.
We had some good chances, but it just wasnt our day, Greens Farms head coach Tauni Butterfield said. I thought we really stepped up in the second half and really challenged their goalie, but we just couldnt get the ball in the back of the net.
Butterfield shook up her teams lineup in the second half, moving two defenders to offense. The strategy nearly worked as Phebe Wong got off three point-blank shots. One sailed high on a breakaway, while two consecutive shots deflected off a Greenwich Academy defender when the ball slipped behind Gators goalie Kat Goldsmith.
Theyre Division A, which is two levels up from us. So for us to even hang with them is huge, Butterfield said. We took some chances to try to make things happen, and it almost paid off.
Greenwich Academy got on the board in the 13th minute on a goal by Olivia Rovelli. Freshman Meghan Root raced into Greens Farms territory and took a shot but was denied by Kruk. Root got a foot on the rebound, which squirted to a waiting Rovelli for the eventual game-winner.
The Gators added an insurance goal in the 45th minute, off a direct kick from midfield by Catherine Sands. The shot trickled through the Greens Farms defenders, where Root drilled it into the right side of the net.
Greens Farms will now wait for an opponent in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council tournament. The Dragons will likely be seeded second in Division C.
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