Bristol Central boys soccer fell behind Conard 3-0 early in the second half of Monday afternoon’s match at Bristol Central High School.
The Rams could have simply wilted and allowed themselves to be pulverized by the Chieftains, but instead they fought back. Almost all the way back.
 |
| Fecundo Ramos delivers a corner kick for Bristol Central. |
Zach “Ziggy” Aldieri and Fecundo Ramos scored goals for Central to pull the home side to within 3-2. The Rams kept the pressure on the Chieftains and had a chance to tie in the final minutes but couldn’t convert. Conard went back to West Hartford with a 3-2 win while Central checked into its own locker room with an 0-4 record.
The Rams played well in the second half, but it takes two good halves to come away with a victory.
“The first half defense,” coach Bruce Mazzochi said. “Again, we were just real, real porous. In the second half, we certainly played really well, the communication was there.”
Team defense was much better, and that allowed Central to turn up the pressure offensively on Conard.
“If we play our game, which is possessing the ball, and if we play our game, use the angles of the field, you’ll spread them out,” Mazzochi said.
 |
| Steve Bemke throws the ball in for Bristol Central. |
By spreading the field, the Rams were able to create more chances. Mazzochi moved Jason Sarmiento and Aldieri up front with Mike Lemke, and he also switched Ramos to center midfielder. The changes seemed to help as Central was able to create more opportunities in the second half.
“The second half, it was something to build on,” Mazzochi said.
The Rams have three days off to work on things before their next match, which is Friday at home against Newington at 3:45 p.m.
