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Kurt Jacob directed Norwalk soccer teams to consecutive Connecticut Cups each of the past two years. His 16-and-under team won two years ago, and the team repeated in the 17-and-under division last year. It was the first time Jacob's 35-year association with the league that teams won back-to-back state titles.
Connecticut Cup begins play this weekend, but Jacob won't be coaching the group that won consecutive titles. He had been with some of them since they were 10 years old, but when Jacob asked them over the winter if they were interested in making a run at another title, he got a lukewarm response. "Some of them have gone on to different challenges,'' Jacob said. "They weren't interested in going on to a third Cup. I understand it, they're teenagers."
Jacob's team was built around a core four that included his son Danny, Robert Geitz, Michael Jimenez and Edwin Carvajal. "They just blended very well,'' Jacob said. "They had good speed, size, and tenacity. They didn't give up. We had a six-goal differential in our games. It was a challenge to keep them from scoring."
As 16-year-olds, Norwalk outscored opponents 36-1 during the regular season. In the State Cup final, however, Norwalk trailed NECONN (a team from Northeast Connecticut) 2-0 at halftime despite dominating the game. "I told them if we keep doing what we're doing, the soccer gods will be kind to us,'' Jacob said. Norwalk did not allow a shot on goal in the second half and rallied for three goals in the second half by Andres Torres, Chris Esquival and the game-winner by Fabian Carvajal. The team repeated last year.
"The second title was fine, but it wasn't jumping on the pile like it was the first time,'' Jacob said. "It was tougher during the season to get them to practice. Every day it was a different group." Jacob felt the players got stronger as they reached their mid teens, and the team took off. "It was amazing,'' Jacob said. "There's an age from 14-16 where they really start taking it into high gear. The speed, the aggressiveness, the skills really start to come out. I'm watching them and its like, 'They're really getting it now."
The run is over for Jacob, but some of the team members are with coach Joe Surface on Norwalk's under-19 team. Jacob is coaching the u-15s but will always remember his two-time champions. "I miss them because they were special,'' Jacob said. "I let them go because I knew they were growing up and moving on."
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