Monday, September 17

The Canaan boys put an end to a two-game losing skid with a dramatic 3-2 overtime win against the Concord Wildcats. Already down two starters due to suspension, Canaan took another hit early in this match. Senior fullback Connor Daley left the match in the first half with an injury to his kicking foot, forcing coach Dan Wade to shuffle his lineup. Wade turned to his younger players, looking for some fresh legs to pick up the team, and was rewarded for doing so.

The Wildcats came out of the gates with fire and precise ball movement, but were unable to find the back of the net in the opening half. The scrappy Canaan offense was a different story. Despite having limited chances, the Eagles netted two goals before intermission. The first came after an Adam Brousseau cross led to a cluster in front of Concord goalkeeper Joe Allen. Freshman Alan Leigh was able to get his foot on the ball amidst the traffic and put it into the goal. Canaan would extend the lead after midfielder Patrick Brady lined up a shot from outside and ripped it over Allen's head and into the net. Once again, the Eagles held a 2-0 lead at the break.

However, the second half would belong to the Wildcats. Mike Blakeslee came shooting through the Eagle's back line and put one into the net to put the Wildcats within a goal. Canaan struggled to keep the ball on the offensive half of the field, as Concord continued the pressure. With less than ten minutes remaining in regulation, Edgar Chamul put the equalizer just past the outstretched hands of Canaan goalkeeper Zack Daley.

After eighty minutes of soccer, the score was tied 2-2. Two sudden-death, ten-minute overtimes would decide whether this match would end in a tie or thrilling victory. The Wildcats continued to control possession for most of the first overtime, but were unable to score. Canaan could do little on offense, and the first overtime ended with the score unchanged.

In the 84th minute of action, Canaan was able to press into the Concord defense and gain a corner kick. Midfielder Jason Charest, who had moved to fullback after Connor Daley's injury, bent a ball into the goalie's box. A scramble for the ball ensued, and for the second time in the match, an Eagle was able to put a foot on the ball. Tyler Fortin redirected the bouncing ball past Allen for the golden goal, ending the game in dramatic fashion.

Coach Wade was ecstatic. "The young guys really stepped it up and we got a few garbage goals. I love it." Both Leigh and Fortin scored their first career varsity goals in the match.

The victory lifted Canaan's record back over .500 to 3-2.