By Michael Letendre
BRISTOL – After absorbing a tough seven-goal loss at Maloney last Monday, the Bristol Eastern girls soccer team hung around in its CCC South bout against Middletown on Thursday evening.
The Blue Dragons (7-5-2 overall) were flummoxed by the Lancers (3-9-1) the entire evening and only scored when Eastern coach Scott Redman advanced most of his players forward in order to tally a game-winning goal.
In the end, a late goal from Middletown allowed the visitors to square up a 1-0 victory from Alumni Field in Bristol.
“A very evenly matched contest [against] Middletown resulted in a 1-0 defeat and elimination from postseason play,” said Redman. “I would argue the Lancers outplayed Middletown and created more high-quality chances but were unable to convert.”
The teams combined to shoot 10 total times at the opponents’ nets but Eastern never gave up until time expired.
However, after 77 scoreless minutes, the Blue Dragons finally tallied a goal.
Middletown’s Gabrielle Butler redirected a cross into the side of the Eastern netting, just inside the far post, for the game winning score.
“[It was] a beautiful finish,” said Redman of the goal.
When Eastern had shots at the net, Middletown ended up stopping every attempt the squad took at the net.
And when the final horn sounded, Butler’s ball was the only goal of the game as Eastern fell 1-0.
“We needed a win to maintain a chance to qualify for the tourney, so we pressed forward, and it opened up space for them,” said Redman.
Middletown outshot Eastern 6-4 while earning five corner kicks along the way.
Maya Martin made four stops for Middletown while Eastern keeper Hailey Beebe added five saves.
The rest of the schedule
The Lancers finish out the 2023 campaign with two more matches.
On Monday, Eastern travels to Platt for a CCC South confrontation and finally, its BC/BE — take two.
That epic challenge takes place this Thursday at 5 p.m. from Alumni field at BEHS.
Bristol Eastern Girls Soccer – CCC South Showdown
MIDDLETOWN 1, BRISTOL EASTERN 0
from Alumni Field, BEHS
Scoring 1 2 – F
Middletown (7-2-4) 0 1 – 1
Bristol Eastern (8-4-1) 0 0 – 0
Individual Scoring – First Half
*None
Individual Scoring – Second Half
*Gabrielle Butler (Middletown), 78:00
Shots: Middletown 10; Bristol Eastern 8.
Shots on Goal: Middletown, 6; Bristol Eastern 4.
Saves: Maya Martin (Middletown) 4; Hailey Beebe (Bristol Eastern), 5.
Corner Kicks: Middletown 5; Bristol Eastern 1.
Records: Middletown 7-5-2 overall; Bristol Eastern 3-9-1.
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