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Sports

Quick Start Earns Bobcat Boys Quarterfinal Berth

Boys soccer nets four goals en route to win over Woodstock Academy.

The eighth-seeded Brookfield Bobcats continued the defense of their Class L State title Thursday with a 4-1 win over 24th seeded Woodstock Academy Centaurs at Brookfield High School. The Bobcats move on to the Class L Quarterfinals, where they will have a rematch with top-seeded, and undefeated, Bunnell in Stratford.

The Bobcats struck first on a pretty header by senior Austin Foulds off of a throw in deep in the Woodstock Academy defensive end. The throw came into the 18 yard box and was put in the back of the net by Foulds, past Woodstock Academy goalie Shea Goudreau. Brookfield set the tone early and carried the play throughout the game.

Brookfield narrowly missed an opportunity to take a 2-0 lead early on when Woodstock Academy junior Ryan Willis was issued a yellow card for an aggressive tackle from behind just in front of the team benches. Off of the ensuing free kick, the Bobcats came close on a great attempt on a header by junior Rocco D'Arcangelo.

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The eventual game winner for the Bobcats came midway through the first half.  After a long throw-in by senior Christopher Ackell, senior Soly Zarrini collected the ball at close range and put the Bobcats ahead 2-0. Many of the Bobcats best scoring chances came off of set pieces and long throw-ins by Ackell.   

Woodstock Academy had a few opportunities to get on the board in the first half, the best of which came off of a free kick just outside the Brookfield 18 yard box.  While they were able to penetrate deep into the Brookfield end, the Bobcats defense limited their scoring chances. Brookfield would head into halftime with a 2-0 lead, with all of the momentum on their side.

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The Bobcats opened the second half just as they finished the first. Eight minutes into the half, senior Nicholas Demo broke free, but sent the ball just high of the net from about 10 yards out as the Centaurs defender closed in. Brookfield extended their lead to 3-0 when Foulds scored his second goal of the game.

Brookfield added on another insurance goal at 12 minutes, when D'Arcangelo found himself all alone with a head of steam coming down the field and deposited the ball in the far corner to stake the home team to a 4-0 lead midway through the second half. 

With several starters out of the game, the Centaurs started to put some pressure on the Bobcats, but sophomore goalie Austin Dacunha was there to make some key saves to preserve the lead.

After a shot on goal, DaCunha was injured making a save as he and Ackell made an attempt on the ball. He would leave the game with a head injury, replaced by junior Rodrigo Restrepo. 

Woodstock Academy had one of their best opportunities of the game with seven minutes remaining, but missed wide. Woodstock's lone goal came in the waning moments of the game, as senior Todd Blodgett brought the ball close to the end line and made a cross to junior Ryan Brown, who scored past goalie Restrepo.

Both teams played aggressively, as four players were booked with yellow cards, three for the Centaurs and one for the Bobcats. Brookfield returns to action when they face top seeded and unbeaten Bunnell Monday, November 15, at 7 p.m. in Stratford. The Bobcats and Bunnell played to a 2-2 tie back in September.

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