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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamford High School boys soccer head coach Mario Caminiti knew his team's showdown against perennial powerhouse Norwalk would be, as he called it, "a test." While the Black Knights may have passed the first half, they flunked the second half, falling 5-0.
"We still need to mature. I think we were shocked a little bit. I think the kids were a little overwhelmed," Caminiti said. "I thought we could keep with [Norwalk] for a while there, but they just have too many options."
Stamford came out with a feisty attitude against the Bears, one of the top-ranked teams in the state in pre-season polls. Norwalk's offense was just too much for the Black Knights, though, outshooting Stamford 11-2 in the first half. Stamford still managed to head into the break with the game in reach, trailing 2-0.
Then the wheels fell off in the second half. An own-goal with seven minutes to play deflated the Knights and led to two more quick goals by Norwalk.
"[Norwalk] outworked us in every phase of the game. They outclassed us bottom line," Caminiti said. "They have a tremendous work ethic."
Norwalk outshot Stamford 18-4 overall. Steven Lopez and Gustavo Torrealba had shots for Stamford.
Stamford (1-1-1) will try to recover on Thursday when it hosts Fairfield Warde at 4 p.m.
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