This evening brings the first of two Muzzy Field soccer doubleheaders between city rivals Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern. The girls soccer match is scheduled for 5:15 p.m., with the boys match slated to follow at about 7:15 p.m.
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| Bristol Central girls soccer head coach Scott Redman (maroon shirt) has seen the city rivalry as a player and a coach. Redman played soccer at Bristol Eastern, but now coaches the sport at Central. |
Bristol Central girls soccer head coach Scott Redman has been on both sides of the rivalry.
“There’s no rivalry better in the state in my mind,” Redman said before Thursday’s home match against Manchester. “Throw the records out the window. It’s always a competitive game.”
From 1998 to 2001, Redman played soccer for long-time Bristol Eastern head coach Bill Sweet. Redman graduated from Eastern in 2002. After being an assistant coach at Bristol Central, Redman is in his fifth season as head coach of the Rams.
“I’ve seen all facets of it,” Redman said of the rivalry.
That’s an understatement. In the spring, Redman heads down the hill to Eastern to coach the Lancer softball team.
Here’s a little more on this evening’s CCC South Region, Blue Division (there’s a mouthful for you) matchups. Central is the home team in both matches.
Bristol Central vs. Bristol Eastern girls, 5:15 p.m.
The Rams enter the match with a record of 2-6-1 and are coming off of a hard-fought 4-4 tie against Manchester on Thursday. Central hopes to keep the momentum going in its second contest of the season’s second half.
The Lancers are 3-5 and are coming off of a 2-0 home win over Wethersfield on Wednesday. It was a team effort for Eastern in the victory. Freshman Myah Croze and junior Mikayla Lewandoski scored the goals while sophomore Karly Martin picked up the shutout in goal.
The Rams and Lancers split their meetings last season. Central won 3-1 on Sept. 30, then Eastern took the rematch 2-1 on Oct. 27.
Bristol Central vs. Bristol Eastern boys, @ 7:15 p.m.
After starting the season 0-4, the Rams are 4-0-1 in their last five matches. Central took one-goal victories over Newington (2-1), Middletown (1-0) and Rocky Hill (3-2) during that stretch. The Rams defeated the Terriers yesterday in a match played at the Bristol Soccer Club. Central is in second place in the Blue Division (2-1) of the CCC South Region behind Wethersfield (3-0-1).
The Lancers look to turn it around after losing their last two matches at South Windsor and Wethersfield. Eastern enters the match at 3-4-2 and is looking for its first victory since beating Plainville 2-0 on Sept. 28 at the Farmington Sports Arena. The Lancers are also looking for their first Blue Division win of the season (0-2-2).
Eastern and Central split their meetings last season. The Lancers won 3-1 on Sept. 30, then the Rams took the rematch 2-1 on Oct. 27.
