CRHS SOCCER : Boys Play Strong Against Cromwell in Two Matches

The boys soccer teams at Cromwell and Coginchaug have been heading in different directions since mid-September.  Cromwell started 2-1, and Coginchaug was looking very strong at 4-0-1.  Cromwell went on to win 7 of their next 8 games, while CRHS battled key injuries and dropped 7 straight.  You wouldn’t know it from watching the back to back games these 2 teams played against each other last Thursday afternoon and Monday night under the lights in Cromwell.

On Thursday, CRHS held Cromwell to a scoreless tie at halftime.  They started the second with the same intensity.  Cromwell scored about 20 minutes into the period.  A short time later they were awarded a penalty kick.  Now down 2 goals, the wind came out of the Blue Devil’s sails and the final score was 3-0.  “We played a great 40 minutes of soccer, but the second 40 was not as good.  There were some mental mistakes which have hurt us all season and they capitalized on that”, commented Coach Chris Cap after the match.

On Monday night on the lighted field in Cromwell, Coginchaug was nearly at full strength and seemed determined to right the ship.  Senior Co-Captain Jeff Cummings missed the last 6 games with an illness and entered the game towards the end of the first half.  “It was nice to get Jeff back, and pushing Alex Preneta up front was definitely a plus for us and gave us a little more experience up top.” said Coach.

Again the game was scoreless at the halftime break.  Coginchaug played stellar defense and the midfield created plenty of scoring opportunities, they just couldn’t find the net.  Cromwell was pressing hard as well, and got a break when their striker fell down on a breakaway and the referee called a foul.  They scored the only goal of the game on the ensuing penalty kick.  “That may have been the best 80 minutes the lads have put together all season.  I couldn’t be happier with the effort.  We just got unlucky with the penalty, but we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position.”

Despite the string of losses, the boys are nearly full strength heading into senior day on Thursday.  Senior Luke Fowler was injured in the second Cromwell game and will likely not play.  Senior Co-Captain Tyler Kovacs is not 100%, but will attempt to play.  The team still has a chance to make the state tournament if they can win the final 2 matches.  It will be a tall order, but one Coach feels good about, “Getting players back from injuries will help.  The kids are upbeat and I’m happy with their effort.  If we can keep playing like this and put some quality soccer together I can see us making a run.”

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