It's always good to play in a home opener, just ask the Ludlowe boys soccer team, who defeated the Stamford black knights in their inaugural home campaign on Wednesday night, 2-1. This matchup between perennial powerhouse teams was an easy choice for our first "Game of the Week" broadcast of the 2019/2020 season. Head coach Kevin O'Hara's squad was looking to keep momentum going from a 4-1 JV victory, while earning their first varsity victory as well. After a tie against Trumbull and a loss at McMahon, a win would be a crucial part to opening the season strong.
Tonight’s starters vs. Stamford: Tenreiro, Nessel, Connor, Kuhn, Thomas, Kilbride, Atta, Crawford, Rullo, Cortes, Radman
#ctbsoc
— Ludlowe Boys Soccer (@LudloweSoccer)
September 18, 2019
The falcons tied, but never trailed in the matchup, striking first when senior Zaid Atta put one in the back of the net after a scrum inside the box at '31. Atta's goal was just one of the numerous opportunities created by a surging Ludlowe offense in the first 20 minutes of soccer.
Stamford would not go easily though, as the orange and white capitalized on one of Ludlowe's only defensive misfortunes midway through the first half, tying the game at 1 with just under 24 minutes left in the opening forty.
As in the first half, the falcons came out brisk on offense to begin the second half, with another barrage of opportunities in their offensive half of the pitch. In the end, it was too much for the Stamford defense to handle as Ludlowe junior Matt Rullo came through with a 30 yard boot that found the back of the net, just underneath the top post of the goal. From there, the falcons cruised to a 2-1 victory thanks to more offensive chances and steady defense that halted a number of late possesions from the black knights.
With the win, the falcons move to 1-1-1, gaining 3 much needed points and bringing their season total to 4. Stamford drops to 1-1-1, also with 4 points on the year. Ludlowe will play under Friday night lights later this week against Trinity Catholic, looking to add another win to their record. Stamford is also in action Friday against another historically dominant squad, the Greenwich Cardinals.
Next week, we're back with boys soccer as the falcons host the Ridgefield Tigers, who will be looking to turn things around after a 0-3-0 start to the season.
