Westhill Boys Grab Tie, Cling to Playoff Hopes

STAMFORD, Conn. – When the Westhill High School boys soccer team was forced to forfeit three games because of an ineligible player early this season, it could have had a devastating effect on the Vikings’ playoff hopes. Credit the Vikings for refusing to give in.

Since the ruling was handed down, Westhill is unbeaten in eight games with six wins and two ties. The streak continued on Monday evening with a 1-1 draw against a New Canaan squad that vastly outshot the Vikings in the first half.

Despite the Rams’ attack, Westhill had the advantage for much of the game. Sebastian Rozo collected a rebound in front of the net and rocketed a shot that deflected off the fingertips of Rams goalie Scott Levene for a 1-0 lead at 24:55 in the first half.

Westhill pressed hard for an insurance goal, with Rozo nearly adding a second score with under two minutes to play in the first half. His shot ricocheted off the crossbar, keeping the lead at one.

Westhill outshot New Canaan 6-5 in the second half but it was the Rams that capitalized. Keith Griffin put the perfect touch on a pass through traffic to Jon-Luke Ferrandino, who was ready and waiting in front of the net. Ferrandino buried the equalizer with 27:48 to play, securing a point for the Rams.

Coming away with one point instead of three, Rozo said he knows his team will have to play at its best in the final week of the regular season.

“In this final push we’re just going to go all out,” Rozo said. “We play every game like a final. Those are all games we need to win and get the three points each game.”

Westhill (6-5-2) is currently on the outside looking in for the conference playoffs. Tied with Greenwich and Fairfield Ludlowe for the ninth seed, the Vikings will need to win at least two of their final three games to crack the top eight and make the playoffs. Westhill hosts Staples on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

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