If the Jonathan Law girls soccer team doesn’t win another contest all year, and the Eagles are certainly hoping that isn’t the case, at least part of its mission for the 2014 season will have been accomplished.
Law posted its second victory of the year over cross-city rival Foran High in a 2-1 verdict at the Vito DeVito Sports Complex on Oct. 9. In the process, it may have put a serious dent in the Lions’ hopes to make post-season play.
Cassidy White’s header off of a Shannon Williams’ corner kick in the game’s 72nd minute was the difference maker. Miller, a right-footed kicker, took the corner from the left side and placed the ball perfectly in the box, where White was able to deflect it in.
After that, Foran had two more opportunities, one on an indirect kick and another on a corner kick. Both were taken by Meghan Sengstacken. Law goalie Amanda Leone (five saves) turned the free-kick aside and Sengstacken’s corner, taken with less than two minutes to play in the game, missed its mark.
Foran, which has 10 points on a now 4-7-2 record, needs at least 13 points (one for tie, two for a win) to make the Class M state tourney.
Law, at 2-9-1, must win its final four games. That stretch started when the Eagles played in Clinton against the Morgan School. They will then play East Haven on Friday.
“It does feel really good to beat them and to do it twice in one season,” said Williams, a senior. “We were off at the start in this one. When we got down in the score, I knew it was time to get my head into the game.”
The team’s exchanged first-half goals with Foran taking the lead when Milani Gray got open, and after taking a pass from Alexia Malangone, and put a soft-touch shot past Leone at 33:17.
Law countered with exactly six minutes to play before the break, as Kiana Walker hooked up with freshman Colleen Rice. Rice put a through ball past Foran’s defenders and Walker kicked it home past Lions’ keeper, Carly Pala (two saves).
“They controlled play for at least 30 minutes of this game,” said Law coach J.D. Rhode. “We made that one mistake, and, obviously, fell behind. What has happened in the past didn’t happen tonight. Normally, when we get behind in the first stages of a game, we shut down.
“We’re still alive barely to make the post season. All we can do is take it one game at a time and hope to get the wins we need.”
Outshot 6-2 in the first half, Law got three big saves from Leone. Foran held the overall shot edge, 9-5. Each team had two corner kicks, while the Lions had an overwhelming 12-3 margin in free kicks.
“We simply didn’t take advantage there,” Foran coach Casey Blake. “Meghan Sengstacken is by far the best kicker I’ve had since I’ve been here. No one was able to finish one of her attempts.
“We got a beautiful goal to start the game and played well for awhile. Again, I try to drive this point home every day. We’re a good team when we want to be. We do most everything right. But we’re not consistent and consistency is everything in soccer.”
Law closed out its Southern Connecticut Conference Hammonasset Division schedule with a 2-4 record. Foran is 0-5 with one contest remaining.
Roundup
Foran High defeated Hillhouse/Career/Wilbur Cross from New Haven, 3-1, on Oct. 6. Carly Malesky scored the first of her two goals in the first half. Kali Borden had the assist. Natalie Henry snapped a 1-1 tie with her goal in the second half, assisted by Kayla Coppola. Malesky, from Henry, completed the scoring. Carly Pala had 11 saves.