By Michael Letendre
MIDDLETOWN – Generating a tie against a very strong team from Middletown was a feather in the cap of the boys soccer program at Bristol Eastern High School.
The Lancers and the Blue Dragons battled it out from Middletown High School as the squads ended the contest knotted in a 2-2 stalemate on Thursday afternoon.
It was a big showing by Eastern (8-4-2), battling another one-loss program from the CCC and coming away without a loss.
The Lancers are now 8-4-2 overall while the Blue Dragons (6-1-7) have a state high seven ties on its 2023 ledger.
“Across the board, it was a gutsy effort from all the Lancers,” said Eastern coach Bill Sweet. “Playing our third game in four days, and against the CCC-South leader tonight, we battled to the final whistle.”
Eastern got on the scoreboard first as a very familiar goal-scoring machine got right to work.
Early in the first half, Eddie Ansah was able to convert a Sam LaMar throw-in at 37:14, making it a 1-0 affair.
But Middletown’s Andrew Lazich tied the game just under five minutes later, sending a hard shot into the Eastern net with 32:35 left to play in the first period.
However, the Kingstreeters had another response to regain the edge.
Eastern’s Landon Gawel touched the ball to Lucas Tylicki in the middle of the Middletown penalty area.
And Tylicki knocked it home for a 2-1 Lancers’ lead with 29:28 showing on the clock – a cushion that nearly held into the half.
With 2:35 remaining in the first, Lazich notched his second goal of the afternoon.
He scored out of a scramble in front of the Eastern goal to tie the match up at 2-2.
That would be the final score of the showdown though both teams had chances to score a game-winning goals over the final forty.
In the second half, Eastern had a few breakaways, but for the majority of the time, the squad gave ground, but the Lancers’ excellent defense stopped Middletown outside of the penalty area.
Eastern’s starting goalie, Peyton Cummings, was injured in the first half after a collision with a Middletown player but his replacement, Connor Murtaugh, was steady in the net and made two outstanding saves to help preserve the tie over an impressive stint.
“Rio Fernandez, Leslie Adzo, and Jess Portillo were especially sharp shutting down some dangerous players,” said Sweet.
Middletown keeper, Tyler Hahn, made four saves while Cummings had six and Murtaugh added five to preserve the stalemate.
Bristol Eastern Boys Soccer – CCC South Showdown
BRISTOL EASTERN 2, MIDDLETOWN 2
from the turf field at Middletown High School
Scoring 1 2 – F
Bristol Eastern (8-4-2) 2 0 – 2
Middletown (6-1-7) 2 0 – 2
Individual Scoring – First Half
*Eddie Ansah (Bristol Eastern), 2:46
*Andrew Lazich (Middletown), 7:25
*Lucas Tylicki (Bristol Eastern), Landon Gawel assist, 10:32
*Lazich (Middletown), 37:25
Individual Scoring – Second Half
*None
Saves: Peyton Cummings (Bristol Eastern), 6, Connor Murtaugh (Bristol Eastern), 5; Tyler Hahn (Middletown), 4.
Records: Bristol Eastern 8-4-2 overall; Middletown 6-1-7.
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