Hawks hope to build off outburst

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Woodland’s Jack LaPerriere (4) goes up between Naugatuck’s Sam Rego (13) and Alex Teixeria (2) to try and head the ball Sept. 15 in Beacon Falls. Naugatuck won the game, 4-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

BEACON FALLS — Through the first week and a half of the boys soccer season, Woodland coach Tony Moutinho had a simple assessment of what he’d learned about his Hawks.

“We can’t score,” Moutinho said with a laugh, but he was only half-joking.

Woodland lost three of its first four matches via shutout, including a 4-0 defeat vs. Naugatuck last Friday and a 3-0 loss at Brookfield last Saturday.

But the Hawks bounced back Tuesday with a 7-1 victory over Derby at Witek Park. Maciej Lewicki netted a hat trick for Woodland (2-3), while Jason Claiborn tacked on a pair of goals. Matt Iannone and Dante Polletta also found the back of the net for the Hawks. Devon Polletta and Ryan Swanson each tallied two assists, and Cole Barrows and Tim Mendes also dished out helpers.

Moutinho hopes that Tuesday’s offensive outburst, albeit against one of the Naugatuck Valley League’s weaker opponents, will lead to better play moving forward.

“Beating a team like this gives some confidence back that we can get the ball into the back of the net,” Moutinho said. “Today was a good day, even though the opponent was weak, but we managed to do some good things.”

Woodland’s Dante Polleta (25) battles with Naugatuck’s Matthew Carroll (9) for the ball as Woodland’s Timothy Mendes (17) looks on Sept. 15 in Beacon Falls. Naugatuck won the game, 4-0. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

In the loss to the Greyhounds, goalkeeper Andrew Spofford was Woodland’s bright spot with nine saves.

Moutinho attributed some of the Hawks’ early-season struggles to the fact that a number of players are either first-year starters or are playing in new spots on the field.

“Guys are in different positions than they used to play in,” Moutinho said. “It will take some time.”

Woodland is set to visit St. Paul on Thursday. Woodland returns home next week to start a three-game homestand. The Hawks will open that stretch Tuesday vs. Watertown, which is one of the favorites to win the NVL title.