Woodland turns attention to state tournament
WATERBURY — The Woodland girls soccer team hadn’t allowed a goal in two tournament games heading into the Naugatuck Valley League championship Oct. 29 at Municipal Stadium.
Watertown’s Fitore Kllobocishta made quick work of that streak.
Before the crowd had a chance to settle in on a rainy and cold night, Kllobocishta put the Indians up 1-0 in the second minute with a shot to the top corner of the net past Woodland goalie Jenna Pannone. Watertown went on to claim its fifth straight NVL girls soccer title with a 4-0 victory over Woodland.
“I think it was a little bit of a shock for us,” said Woodland coach Cait Witham about the early goal. “We really have never gotten scored on that quick before. So, I think that was an adjustment. The girls came back appropriately. They came back fired up, but again, we couldn’t find the back of the net.”
The Hawks staggered slightly after the rapid strike, but regrouped quickly and controlled the action for much of the first half. However, it was a night of missed opportunities for Woodland.
Jessica Rodrigues hit the cross bar in the 15th minute, and it was the Indians who got to the rebound first to clear the ball out of harm’s way. In the 20th minute, Alexa Casimiro, who was named Woodland’s MVP, drew a penalty in the box. As a drizzle turned to a steady rain, Shae Geary lined up to take the penalty kick with a chance to tie the game. Geary’s shot was wide right.
Watertown clung to its 1-0 lead at halftime. The Hawks ramped up the pressure on the Indians at the start of the second half, but could never quite get in sync. Crosses didn’t connect and shots were either off target or landed in the hands of Watertown goalkeeper Alexis Fenn, who made 10 saves.
“The biggest issue was the fact that Watertown wanted it more than us,” Witham said. “I don’t really think anybody can argue the fact that when Watertown had opportunities they converted, when we had opportunities we unfortunately did not. That was the biggest thing today. They found the back of the net.”
Kllobocishta found the back of the net again nine minutes in the second half when her shot slide through the hands of Pannone, who made five saves on the night. Kllobocishta, who was named tournament MVP, completed the hat trick in the 59th minute. Lilyann Cotas added Watertown’s fourth goal in the final minute.
Witham told her Hawks following the game that they should be proud of themselves, even though they finished short. She said although the seniors will not get another chance at an NVL title, they’ve laid the groundwork for success.
“They (seniors) have laid the foundation for these girls, and they’ve taught them how to work day in and day out,” she said.
Witham also reminded her team that the season isn’t over yet.
The Hawks, who are the No. 3 seed in the Class M tournament, took out their frustrations in a 2-1 win over No. 30 Foran on Tuesday in Beacon Falls.
Rodrigues scored on a breakaway 10 minutes into the second half for the game-winning goal. She corraled a punt beyond midfield by Pannone, who made seven saves, and got behind the defense. Savannah Aviz scored Woodland’s first goal off an assist by Marisa Macek.
The Hawks will host No. 14 Weston in the second round Thursday at 2 p.m.
