NAUGATUCK — Going full-tilt in practice is paying off for the Naugy boys soccer team.
The ‘Hounds improved to 4-0 following a 4-0 victory over Kennedy on Tuesday evening. Naugy seems to be clicking on offense and defense, and its early record shows.
“The hard work all are putting in practices,” Naugy head coach Art Nunes said. “Early in the season we always stress conditioning. All have bought into the theory and the results show it. We also go at full speed during scrimmages so when we play an opponent it’s not such a drastic difference.”
Naugy has also defeated Woodland, Pomperaug and Watertown.
Danny Martins, Josh Avilas, Diogo Cruz and Adam Antunes have goals through the first four games. Before Tuesday, eight of Naugy’s 10 goals on the season had been scored by Joe Martins or Ygor Silva.
The goal scorers on Tuesday showed that Naugy can diversify its offensive production — making a dangerous offensive team seemingly lethal.
Nunes said the offense is still a work in progress — if that’s possible for an undefeated team that has outscored opponents 14-3 in four matches.
“Not quite where we want it to be,” Nunes said of Naugy’s offense. “Not getting as balanced as we want. Danny Silva is just returning from a season-ending injury and Danny Martins, who also missed last season, are coming around and should start contributing more to the scoring.”
The Greyhounds also put together its first shutout of the season Tuesday. The defense has been coming together with each game.
“The differential is more the result of the defensive play of Tyler Saad, Felipe Dutra, Devon Curtis and Abdul Gadoush,” Nunes said. “They have been gelling as a unit and the midfielders of Diogo Cruz, Joe Martins, Yan Silva, Josh Avilas and C.J. Carrello are also limiting the number of plays the defense has to go at.”
When teams do get past the midfield, Naugy’s keepers have done the job. Against Kennedy, Enzo Pereira and Rabbi Ahmed combined to make four stops to preserve the shutout.
“In goal, Enzo Pereira and Robbie Ahmed have been able to make all the necessary stops when called on,” Nunes said.
Naugy returns to action on Friday at Oxford for a 3 p.m. match and will host St. Paul Catholic on Monday at 6 p.m.
