Like you’d draw it up; Tie worthy of performance
Written by Bill Bloxsom, Sports Editor
Thursday, 22 October 2009 12:19
“We need a hero,” was the marching order issued from the sideline by Ludlowe assistant coach Jay Golesky, with 19:44 remaining after an injury timeout gave both teams a short break from the all-out competition being waged on the pitch.
Coach Kevin O’Hara’s Falcons were trailing their town rival, 1-0, and possession of the Swedish Athletic Club Trophy was at stake.
As they broke a huddle for the restart, Carter and his Falcon teammates nodded their heads at Golesky,
But breaking through the Warde defense and Mustang keeper Matt Freedman would not be easy.
A four-year starter, Freedman had shutout four opponents and rarely allows multiple goals in the talent rich FCIAC.
Ludlowe’s Chris Hyen, closely marked by Warde’s Phil Coletti and Connor Gavey all night, earned the Falcons their third corner of the half with 11:41 on the clock.
The set piece called for Hyen to deliver the ball to the far post and the senior was up to the task.
Freedman, and fullback’s Karl Rempe, Max Connor and Salvatore Siciliano looked to control the area and first denied the Falcon’s Casper Gimand.
Carter was there to pounce on the loose ball and slotted it into the net to tie the contest at the 11:41 mark.
“Luke came though with a big goal when we needed it,” O’Hara said after his club improved to 5-4-3 with the 1-1 tie.
“We’ve qualified for states and are pushing to make it into the FCIAC top eight to earn a playoff spot.
“We went down 1-0, and with a crowd like that roaring, we could have fell back on our heals.
“I think we had the better of play in the second half and we played well against a very determined Warde team.”
The energy from the crowd was palpable, but the town rivals broke through the sound barrier and went at it for 80 minutes of all-out soccer.
“I thought we owned the first half and they had many more chances in the second,” Warde coach Justin Ottavio said.
“The fact that this was our sixth draw speaks to the talent in the FCIAC and how well our defense can play.
“Matt Freedman is one of the best in goal and his defense gives him a chance to shine.
“We had two starters go down with injuries, and our reserves stepped in and complimented play with 1,000 fans cheering both teams on. It was quite a night of soccer.”
Warde put the pressure on Ludlowe from the outset, with Kevin Petroccio, Oliver DeBarros, Tyler Rosenblum, Eli Landau and Gavey working hard in the midfield.
The Mustangs’ Filippo Canatiempo, Jason Correia, Guthrie Carpenter, Pat Kerrigan and Jake Blumenfield and Ross Anderson didn’t pepper Falcon keeper Luke Clifford with a bevy of shots.
What they did do, while being challenged at every turn by Ludlowe defenders’ Joey Sissca, Jon Golosky, Will Lederer, Andrew Scoville and Max Grescher, was use speed to make Clifford come off his line, hoping to create a crease in his armor.
The Warde goal came suddenly.
Petroccio lined up a free kick from 35 yards out and to the right of net.
The junior arched the ball high in the box to the lanky Siciliano, who placed a high-wire header into the top left corner at the 28:32 mark of the opening half.
Ludlowe’s Fernando Pabon, Christian Barral, Pat Nadolny, Andy MacPherson, Gimand and Carter worked hard to tilt the field and Tyler Schwarz and Hyen had groundball shots that were gathered in by Freedman, who finished with nine saves.
“Our defense has played very smart,” Ottavio said. “They communicate well, intercept runners and push people off.
“Our offense is evolving and with eight new starters we’re beginning to gel. We’re looking to make states and with this tie we’re one point closer.”
O’Hara said: “We came out of the gates this season 5-1-2 and the last couple of weeks lost 3-of-4 to some big teams.
“We had a very good win over New Canaan and tonight’s tie is a plus.
“I’m envious of these boys. They get to play in a great environment like this, with the town and fans behind them. These games are fun.”
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