Girls Soccer’s Season Ends at Home

Glastonbury High School senior Samantha Cole settles the ball while being defended by Newtown’s Jamie Rowan at GHS during the Guardians 2-1 loss in the first round of the state tourney last Monday. 

Despite controlling the ball for a vast majority of the game and significantly outshooting Newtown, the girls soccer team from Glastonbury High School was eliminated in the first round of the state tourney on Nov. 6 at GHS. 

Newtown’s Lola Kessler scored a pair of goals and Glastonbury’s offense was unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half, as the Guardians season ended with a 2-1 loss to the Nighthawks from Sandy Hook. 

GHS head coach Mark Landers stated that the team’s effort was there, yet it didn’t materialize into points.  

“We threw everything we possibly could at it,” added Landers. “But we’ve been struggling to score goals down the stretch and you have to score goals in November to advance.”

It was a completely didn’t story on the other side of the field as the Nighthawks made the most of their limited scoring chances.
Kessler netted her first in the 23rd minute, sending home a shot from close range. 

For the next 57 minutes of gameplay the Guardians completely dominated possession, shooting shots at will against Newtown standout goalie Grace Newsom, who made a handful of spectacular saves.

Glastonbury almost had the equalizer midway through the second half when Samantha Cole sent home a corner kick from Corey Anderson, yet the official determined that Newsom had possession of the ball with both hands when Cole kicked it, negating the score. 

With 4:57 left in regulation, Kessler scored her second on Newtown’s only attack in the second half. 

Down two scores with time dwindling down, the Guardians cut the deficit in half when senior Hailey Moriarty fired a laser shot from the deep right corner, which she netted in the left corner with 4:04 to play. 

Glastonbury continued to attack until the bitter end, but Newsom made jump save on a shot from Caleigh Sullivan to end the Guardians last threat with a minute left in regulation. 

Newsom, a sophomore, finished the match with 12 saves in total. 

“We had good runs, we had good combinations, we won 50/50 balls, but we didn’t get it done,” stated Landers.

The game was the last for seven seniors, including Moriarty (University of Albany) and Angela Chavez (University of Hartford), who have committed to play in college. Cole, Sullivan, Chloe Griffin, Jenna Fradin, and Emily Smith also played their last game at GHS. 
Landers said that the team possesses a fighting spirit this fall, crediting the seniors for leaving it all out on the field.

“That is the mentality we’ve had all season long. That work ethic and that culture have been absolutely off the charts,” added Landers. “Our willingness not to give up, even down two goals, and get right back in the game showed that. It just wasn’t going to happen today.”

The loss ended a tremendous streak for the program, which had made at least the second round of the state tournament in every season since 1988. 

Landers noted that the playoff loss can be used as a teaching tool for the returning players –– a talented group that features all-state midfielder Corey Anderson and starting goalie Faith-Anne Grunwald.

​“The younger players probably learned a lot about what this program is about,” added Landers “We feel collectively that we let our fan base and alumni down, but we worked hard and that is the most important part.”