Cougars Strike First, Fall Late at GA
Knotted nil-nil at the half, Country School scored the first of a flurry of second half goals, but ultimately succumbed to an entertaining 4-2 defeat at the hands of a strong Greenwich Academy squad.
On a quintessential early autumn day, the Cougars traveled to Greenwich to compete on a long natural grass pitch. Playing 10v10 to accommodate the smaller numbers for both teams on the day, Country School took time to find its shape in the opening half. In that span, Greenwich Academy created a few quality scoring chances, but Nat was able to paw away each one, showing outstanding instincts and athleticism in the goal. With help from their goalkeeper, Caroline I., Daisy and Clare kept the team in the game with calmness under pressure and outstanding team defending, always having the support of a second defender. Avery battled in midfield to keep the hosts’ talented midfielders at bay. The visitors best chances were due to intelligent passes over the top for Lillian that allowed Lillian to use her speed.
In the second half, Caroline B. scored early after taking over possession in the midfield circle and driving down the left sideline. Victoria tore down the center of the field, and her run drew the defenders to her and distracted the goalkeeper as Caroline slotted home her finish into the bottom right corner. Ella moved into midfield, and it was she and Sloane that put in brave, tireless work to contain the skillful midfielders of the hosts. Halfway through the second half, the hosts finally got their break-through, and they were able to find a second shortly thereafter to turn the match on its head. But NCCS did not give up, as Tata, Avery and Caroline combined to get the latter through on goal down the right channel this time, and this time she made a mirror copy of her first finish. With eight minutes left, a collision was adjudged to have been a foul in the NCCS penalty area, and for a second consecutive game, a goal was conceded from the penalty spot, this time to make the score 3-2. NCCS had multiple chances to score, but a fourth goal arrived with three minutes left for the hosts, and the Cougars could not quite claw their way back from the 4-2 deficit. It was an entertaining match. NCCS defended resolutely against clever, skillful players and created enough chances to get a result. They are looking forward to their home opener Thursday, October 10.
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
