Health & Fitness
CRHS Soccer: Boys Tested, Girls continue winning run
Coginchaug Soccer teams playing at a high level
The Lady Blue Devils soccer team improved to 3-0 and logged their 3rd shutout of the season at home on Monday against Morgan. Senior Co-captain Victoria Buonanni netted her 5th goal of the young season and has scored at least one in each game. Senior Alison Luther also scored to ice the game for Coginchaug. Alison's effort earned her Player of the Game" honors from Coach Kavanaugh, "Alison started as an outside defender. This is not her typical (or preferred position) but knew the team needed her. She finished the game with two shots and one commanding goal. Her work ethic throughout the entire game was relentless. She also was a positive voice both on the field and on the sideline.
The boys faced their first real test of the season Monday at home against Foran High School of Milford. Although Foran is a Class L school, Coginchaug proved to be equal to the task. Coach Cap was looking for consistency after the season's first two matches, and it appears the team was listening.
Early in the first period, Senior Defender Luke Fowler played a free kick wide to Outside Back, Senior Alex Preneta. Preneta took a touch forward and accurately played a hooking ball to the 18. Junior Midfielder Zach Taylor was able to get a head on it and the ball found the foot of Senior Jack Temple. Temple teed it up and solidly one-timed a rocket past Foran's stunned keeper. CRHS kept up the intensity, but could not beat Foran's excellent goalie. Foran countered with 2 goals off breakaways for the halftime lead.
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Coginchaug turned up the heat when Sophomore Forward Alec Bogen took matters into his own hands, beating 2 defenders and firing near post past the keeper to tie the game just minutes into the second half. Sensing that the next goal would be the game winner, both teams applied all the pressure they could muster.
Co-Captain Jeff Cummings had not been tested in games 1 and 2, but made several saves late in this game to preserve the tie. Without his play between the posts, Foran would have had another 2 or more goals in the second half. Coginchaug's offense was doing it's part as well. Jack Temple made a bid for his second goal of the game with a shot from distance that was ticketed for the upper 90. Senior Co-Captain Alex Markoski nearly redirected Michael Decker corner kick into the net and with the clock winding down; Senior Tyler Kovacs rattled the goal post with a shot.
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The game ended, without overtime (non-conference match), as a 2-2 draw.
The turf field at CRHS looked beautiful bathed in sunlight on Tuesday afternoon as it was set to host another boy’s match. This contest would prove to be an even greater test as they faced a much improved squad from Morgan High School. Once again clutch defending from Fowler and Markoski led the way, this time with plenty of support from Seniors Jeff Peracchio and Alex Preneta. Morgan used their size and speed up top to pressure the back line, but they were shut down nearly every time. They managed a few shots and were denied each time by Keeper Jeff Cummings.
On the offensive side of the ball, Coach Cap was trying various combinations of players to break the deadlock. The Blue Devils managed a few dangerous shots, unfortunately many sailed high while the others were turned away by the skilled Morgan goalie.
80 minutes of regulation play expired, but being a Shoreline Conference match, two 10 minute periods were in order. Just 5 minutes in the extra session, Jeff Peracchio made one of his signature long throws to Midfielder Garrett Puchalski down the left sideline. A few quick combination passes later and Jack Temple sent the ball on a seam to outside corner. The Freshman was gassed but his heart and determination came through and he caught up to the ball. He shed the defender with ease and launched the service to the box. Success! Kovacs redirected the ball into the far upper corner of the goal. Quite a thrill for the CRHS players, coaches and fans! Perhaps not as much for the neighbors or Morgan parents in attendance. Morgan played well in this match; Coginchaug was better. In overtime in soccer, any team can win. A play like that proved that the right team was awarded the 3 points.
