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10/13/2019 12:00 AMThe Guilford boys’ soccer team believes in the age-old strategy that a stingy defense can often get you to the finish line faster than a high-powered offense. The Indians’ defense was on full display last week, when the team battled to a pair of scoreless ties against two SCC rivals on the road.
On Oct. 8, Guilford traveled to Madison to play Hand and earned a 0-0 draw with the Tigers. Three days later, the Indians were back on the road for a game against Xavier and came away with a 0-0 stalemate in Middletown. Guilford, which had clinched its spot in the Class L State Tournament during the previous week, has an overall record of 6-1-3 on the season.
“We had chances to score in both games,” Head Coach Curtis Gullette said. “Against Hand, it was a matter of each team using as many defensive adjustments to keep the other team from scoring. We knew they can put the ball in the box often and work from there. We played them tight. Against Xavier, the game was a little more wide-open.”
Senior captain goalie John Kosh made 11 saves for Guilford in the Hand game. Kosh has been a mainstay in net all year long, having recorded five shutouts on the season.
Gullette, who officially became head coach this year after taking over on an interim basis midway through the 2018 campaign, was pleased to see his squad qualify for the Class L tourney with its 2-1 victory at Amity on Oct. 4. Now, Gullette is looking for the Indians to secure a berth in the Southern Connecticut Conference Tournament. Guilford has a record of 6-0-1 in games that count toward the SCC standings, including last week’s draw against Xavier, which is also 6-0-1 in league play.
In addition to its 2-0 victory over Xavier on Sept. 17, the Indians have also notched wins versus Hamden (2-0), Career-Hillhouse (5-0), Fairfield Prep (2-1), Amity (2-1), and Foran (3-1) this year. Guilford has played Hand to a pair of ties (2-2 and 0-0) to go with its recent tie against Xavier. Guilford’s only loss was a 2-1 defeat to Cheshire.
Overall, Coach Gullette said that he’s been pleased with what he’s seen from his team on the pitch this season.
“We have a good corps of players, and our seniors have really stepped it up,” he said.
John Kosh’s twin brother, senior Noah Kosh, is joined by fellow senior Cade Yerkes at the center back position for the Indians. Also playing on the back line is junior captain Aidan Buchanan, who made the All-SCC Second Team last year.
Patrolling the midfield for Guilford are seniors Jake Conklin, juniors Anthony Ippolito and Niall O’Brien, along with Cal Stephens, a sophomore. Stephens is the team’s leading scorer with five goals and two assists, while O’Brien has four goals with one assist.
Up front, the Indians are led by junior forward Evan Lemon, who has two goals and three assists. Yerkes, Conklin, and Noah Kosh have all scored one goal apiece, as has senior forward Devlin Ahlefield.
On the year, Coach Gullette’s club has scored 18 goals and allowed just six. Gullette said that there is a lot of parity in the SCC this season, and he feels that Guilford has as good a chance as anyone to make a run for title.
“This is an interesting year in the SCC. There isn’t any one clear-cut team,” said Gullette. “No one is dominating, so there’s little divide. That makes it interesting from a coaching standpoint. Whoever shows up on any given day and plays well can win.”
Gullette is a former Indians’ player who graduated in 2008 and is a teacher in the Guilford school system. His brother Russell played on Guilford’s last state championship team in 2001.
Next up for the Indians is a road game against Career-Hillhouse at the East Shore Athletic Complex in New Haven at 3:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. After that, Guilford returns home to play Cheshire at Bittner Park at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. Guilford will host Foran at Bittner Park at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct 23.