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Guilford Boys’ Soccer Advances to Class L Semifinals

After losing to Fairfield Prep in the SCC quarterfinals, the Guilford boys’ soccer team was determined to go on a run in the Class L State Tournament when the Grizzlies opened play in the bracket last week. Guilford started off the tournament in dominant fashion by posting three shutout victories to reach the semifinals, while improving their overall record to 14-2-2 on the year.

Guilford blanked Rockville (3-0), Bristol Central (1-0), and Masuk (2-0) in its first three states games. The Grizzlies are facing Wethersfield in the semifinal round this week, looking to advance to the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 20.

Head Coach Curtis Gullette feels proud of his players for working hard each day as Guilford strives to advance in states and accomplish its overall goals for the season.

“We set a couple of goals for ourselves at the start of the season: to prepare our minds to be mentally focused for all 80 minutes of each game and to give 100 percent effort and intensity to every practice and game,” Coach Gullette said. “My favorite part of the season has been the everyday moments that I see the players’ commitment to these goals.”

As the No. 9 seed, Guilford kicked off the Class L State Tournament by hosting No. 24 Rockville for a first-round game on Nov. 9. The Grizzlies came away with a convincing 3-0 victory behind goals from senior captain Juan Salas-Romer, sophomore Andres Gutierrez, and junior Sami AbuGhazaleh. Junior captain Justin Hess secured the shutout in net for Guilford.

“This game was just a great start for us in the tournament,” said Gullette. “The boys came ready to play and set the tone with an early goal by Juan. Andres helped seal the deal with a goal and an assist.”

Two days later, the Grizzlies traveled to No. 8 Bristol Central for a second-round contest and narrowly escaped with a 1-0 win. Salas-Romer scored the lone goal of the game on an assist by freshman midfielder Stephano Jarrin. Late in the second half, Jarrin played a through ball to Salas-Romer, who beat the Rams’ keeper and slipped the ball into the empty net for the only goal of the day. Hess earned another shutout for the Grizzlies.

Coach Gullette credited his team’s defense, keyed by senior Jake Pinckney, for putting the clamps on a difficult Bristol Central opponent.

“In a tough matchup with Bristol Central, the team showed perseverance in the face of adversity,” Gullette said. “Bristol had a great offensive attack and had many early chances to score. With a little defensive adjustment, Jake Pinckney was able to effectively contain the main playmaker for Bristol Central. Justin Hess played huge as always to keep the ball out of the net.”

Guilford played its third state tourney game of the week when the team hosted No. 16 seed Masuk in the Class L quarterfinals on Nov. 13. The Grizzlies won via shutout for the third-straight game by notching a 2-0 win against the Panthers to move on to the semis.

AbuGhazaleh scored both goals for Guilford in the victory. The first one came off an assist by Salas-Romer during the first half. Then in the second half, AbuGhazaleh headed a cross by junior Will Rice off the crossbar, the ball came right back to him, and AbuGhazaleh volleyed it into the back of the net to put the Grizzlies up 2-0. Hess stopped everything that came his way to earn his third shutout of the tournament.

The Grizzlies played No. 12 seed Wethersfield in the Class L State Tournament semifinals on Nov. 17 (after press time). If Guilford wins that game, it faces the winner of No. 2 Watertown and No. 14 Fitch in the Class L state final on either Saturday, Nov. 20 or Sunday, Nov. 21 at Dillon Stadium in Hartford.

“The team has done a great job of staying in the moment and thinking one game at a time throughout the season,” Coach Gullette said. “Our expectations are always just to be prepared for the next opponent and to have each player and coach give that game our full attention.”

The Guilford boys’ soccer team’s roster for the 2021 season features senior captain Juan Salas-Romer; seniors Cal Stephens, Theo Freeman, Jake Pinckney, Jerry Li, Michael Van Keuren, Charlie Fenollosa, and Brennan Sinoway; junior captain Justin Hess; juniors Sami AbuGhazaleh, Tyler Yerkes, Colin Lataillade, Will Rice, Luke Ste. Marie, Sean McSweet, Mark K. Michna, Sean Filley, and Joshua Chen; sophomores Anthony Malatesta, Jason Li, Andres Gutierrez, Owen Medvecky, and Andrew Jarrin; and freshmen Wyatt Sprenkle and Stephano Jarrin.