Printer Friendly Version - Guilford Boys’ Soccer Plays Way to Class L Semis; Girls Lose in Second Round

Eric LePeak and the Guilford boys’ soccer team won their first three games in the Class L State Tournament to advance to a showdown against Hand in the semifinal round.Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

The 14th-seeded Guilford boys’ soccer team nabbed a 3-1 win over No. 19 Bristol Eastern in the first round of the Class L State Tournament on Nov. 8. Then in the second round at No. 3 Berlin on Nov. 10, the Indians recorded a 1-0 victory after prevailing 5-4 on penalty kicks. In the quarterfinals at No. 11 RHAM on Nov. 12, the Indians won another 1-0 battle to advance to the semifinal round.

The Indians (11-6-4) will next face No. 2 seed Hand (13-2-4) in the semis on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. at Willow Brook Park in New Britain. The winner advances to the final on Saturday, Nov. 19 to play the victor of top-seeded E.O. Smith and No. 13 seed Barlow.

The 12th-seeded Indians hosted No. 21 seed and SCC rival Lauralton Hall in the first round of the Class L State Tournament on Nov. 9 and prevailed 3-2. Chloe Shaw notched the game-winning goal at the 59:10 mark for Guilford. Paige White and Kayley McLaughlin also scored, plus Izzy Nerney had two assists. Faren Roth had five saves for the Indians.

Against No. 5 Masuk in the second round on Nov. 11, the game was deadlocked at 1 through regulation and overtime before Guilford lost on penalty kicks, 3-1. The Indians ended the year at 11-6-2.

The 17th-ranked Guilford volleyball squad lost by a 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 25-27, 20-25) final to No. 16 Platt in the first round of the Class L State Tournament on Nov. 7 to conclude the season at 10-11. Amanda King led in kills with nine and in digs with 10 for the Indians. Julia Hyman (11) and Cia Mirrione (10) also saw double figures in digs, while Hyman added 25 assists on the night.

The Indians also made the SCC Tournament, where they lost a 3-0, first-round match to Hand.

Meredith Bloss competed for Guilford at the New England Championship in Rhode Island on Nov. 12. Bloss finished in 41st place with a time of 19:08.85.

The Indians dropped to 3-6 after taking a 23-15 loss to East Haven (3-5) on Nov. 11.

Jack Strand put Guilford up 7-0 with a 37-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter. The Yellowjackets responded with a 24-yard field goal to get within four. East Haven went ahead 10-7 by scoring a touchdown with 41 seconds before halftime and made it 17-7 heading to the locker room by notching a TD following a Guilford turnover.

In the third quarter, East Haven increased its advantage to 23-7 on a 41-yard scoring scamper. AJ Moscato (144 rushing yards) got Guilford closer at 23-15 after a touchdown and a 2-point conversion, but it wasn't enough for the Indians.

Aaron Korik was 7-of-9 passing for 45 yards and Jack Strand had eight carries for 52 yards and a score. Defensively, Jack Six and Jack Gabriel had 11 tackles apiece, plus Moscato added 10 tackles.

The game served as Youth Night with Guilford Youth Football and Youth Cheerleading both recognized in pregame and halftime events. Additionally, it was Senior Night and the Indians' six seniors and their families were recognized in a pregame ceremony. Guilford's seniors are Ben Currier, Eryk Derda, Zach Conover, Will Smith, Evan Hilgert, and Six.

Nov. 11 also marked Veterans Day and assistant coach Mike Eagle, Sr., served as an honorary captain for the Indians. Eagle, Sr., served in Vietnam in 1968-'69 as a 1st Lieutenant Corps of the Engineers U.S. Army Reserve. His unit saw extensive action and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Eagle, Sr., was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.

Guilford closes the year with a game at Hand (1-8) on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

Chloe Shaw had the deciding goal as Guilford girls’ soccer advanced in the Class L State Tournament with a 3-2 home win over Lauralton Hall in the first round on Nov. 9. The Indians then lost in the next round to Masuk on penalty kicks.Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier