Saturday, September 29

The Concord Wildcats were able to avenge an overtime loss from earlier this month with a 2-1 victory over the Canaan Eagles Saturday. The Wildcats were able to put enough pressure on the Canaan defense, playing without starting fullback Jeremy Schichtle, to score a few garbage goals. The Eagle offense had several chances to tie the match late, but could not get the ball past Concord goalkeeper Joe Allen.

Concord started this game with a quick goal in the opening minutes. A low cross from the left wing came bouncing across the face of the goal towards Canaan keeper Jake Smith. As Smith dove to secure the save, but the ball dribbled through his outstretched hands. The Wildcats pounced on the loose ball and open goal, as Mike Blakesly tapped in the opening score. The Eagles were not disheartened by the early goal, scoring the equalizer minutes later. A through-pass from Zack Daley to a streaking Jason Charest glanced off a Wildcat defender and into the net.

With the score knotted at 1-1, the Wildcats caught yet another break. Another bouncing ball in the goalie's box led to a cluster in front of Smith. The ball squeaked out of the crowd and into the waiting feet of Blakesly, who tallied his second garbage goal of the first half. While the Eagles were trailing at halftime, it could have been much worse. Jake Smith kept the Eagles in the game by saving two penalty shots.

The second half was full of missed opportunities and close calls for both sides. Canaan's Tony Graves put several quality shots on goal, but was turned away each time. The golden opportunity for another Eagle equalizer came midway through the second half. Graves fired a shot from distance, forcing Allen into a dive. The shot was saved, but the rebound ricocheted away, leaving the goal wide open. Jason Charest was in prime position to redirect the rebound into the goal, but his shot sailed wide left and into the side of the net. Concord threatened to take a two-goal advantage multiple times, but solid defensive play from Connor Daley and Ethan Lea kept the Eagles within reach.

The Wildcats defense held tough, clinching the victory and getting revenge for an overtime defeat earlier this month against Canaan. The loss is the third in a row for the Eagles, who appear to have fallen upon hard times due to injuries. Canaan now stands at 3-5, with two winnable games left this week. The Eagles will look to regroup with matches in Cabot and at home against Craftsbury respectively.