The boys soccer state tournaments had their first full day Tuesday, and Bristol Central highlighted it with a 3-1 home win over Wilton (here are my photos from the game).
There were just four local teams in action, including Central. WCA, St. Paul and Wolcott also played. Here’s a little bit about each game:
Class L first round
No. 8 Bristol Central 3, No. 25 Wilton 1
What happened? Carson Rivoira gave the Rams the lead just minutes into the game, and the home team maintained that lead into halftime. Mark Palma assisted on Rivoira’s first half tally.
Minutes into the second half, Ethan Crumrine scored for a 2-0 Central lead. Wilton got a goal back in a hurry to make it 2-1, but Central put the game away on Umar Malick’s header. Crumrine played the ball to Malick, who was able to use his noggin to put the ball into the net.
Who’s next? The Rams (12-3-2) will host No. 9 Guilford on Thursday at 6 p.m. in a second round matchup.
Class M first round
No. 16 WCA, No. 17 O’Brien Tech
What happened? Mike Rodriguez and the Spartans needed only the first 12 minutes to put the visiting Condors away at Municipal Stadium’s Ray Snyder Sr. Field.
Rodriguez used his speed to score the first two goals, then Devin Pais rushed in for a goal of his own. Ermis Paguada added one of his own, off his own first shot that was saved brilliantly, for a 4-0 WCA lead, which the home team took into halftime. Rodriguez finished off his hat trick in the second half. Silas Creaven and Hector Cortes combined for five saves.
Who’s next? The Spartans (10-5-3) play at No. 1 Nonnewaug on Thursday at 4 p.m. in a second round matchup.
No. 10 Morgan-Clinton 2, No. 23 Wolcott 1
What happened? The Eagles lost a close road game to the Huskies and saw their season end at 7-7-3.
The seniors: It was the final game for Michael DosSantos, Lisardo Tapia, Alexander Forte, Dwight Edwards and Jackson Fishbein.
Class S first round
No. 9 Oxford 3, No. 24 St. Paul 1
What happened? The Falcons saw their season end in a road loss against the Wolverines, an NVL foe.
Michael Cipriano had the lone goal, and Tristan Gambuzza made seven saves for St. Paul, which finished with a record of 6-9-2.
The seniors: It was the final game for Gambuzza, Nicholas Mirabilio Mulhall, Matthew Grinvalsky, James Cipriano, Andrew Cherrone, Francesco Vesci, Joseph D’Orso, Anthony Penisse, Michael Sanzone, Marlon Wilkins, William Kurnik and Nicholas Grinvalsky.
Photo caption: Bristol Central keeper Harrison Ross leaps up in traffic to snag a Wilton direct kick during Tuesday’s Class L first round boys soccer game in Bristol. The Rams won, 3-1, and advanced to the second round. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
