Yellowjackets fall to Wamogo, 2-1

WINSTED — Cold weather and dark clouds caused concern for players and spectators alike as the Gilbert boys soccer squad hosted Wamogo Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Walker field. The Jackets took a 1-1 tie into the second half, but Wamogo’s relentless offensive work paid off in a go-ahead-goal late in the second half, giving them the 2-1 victory over Gilbert.

Play remained fairly even in the early minutes of the first. Gilbert’s Josh Hoxie took a breakout pass and carried it to the outside, then quickly fired a pass over to Bryant Silverio. Silverio’s first shot rang off the near post, but a quick recovery allowed him to collect the rebound and tally the first goal of the game.

Wamogo wasted no time in their response. Gilbert found themselves shaken and off balance against a storm of offensive pressure. The Jackets’ defense hesitated and refused to challenge Wamogo one-on-one, giving up plenty of opportunities for shots on net.

Gilbert goalkeeper Dan Williams remained quite busy in the first half. Wamogo’s early shots went wide or high, but as play remained in Gilbert’s end, they began to focus on net, forcing Williams to make some critical saves to keep his team ahead.

Wamogo continued to win all the little battles for possession and control. A bit of scrapping did give the Jackets a few strong breakaway opportunities, but they were unable to muster sustained offensive momentum.

Williams remained very strong in the net, but eventually Wamogo’s pressure paid off in the tying goal late in the first half.

Out of the half, Wamogo went right back into action: passing cleanly, forcing turnovers, winning small battles, cycling the ball in Gilbert’s end and keeping the Jackets’ defense unnerved. Williams made a superb save off a corner kick that went high and was heading into a traffic area. Williams snagged the ball out of the air, fumbled, but quickly recovered to keep Wamogo from pulling ahead by one.

A serious Wamogo injury halted play for some time, forcing both teams to run small drills along the sidelines to keep energy from sagging. Once play continued, Wamogo went back on the attack, this time forcing Williams to make some enormous saves.

Gilbert found some offense late in the second half, but Wamogo moved in close on Williams’ net. A quick pass and release gave Wamogo the game-winning goal.

Yellowjacket Josh Hoxie claimed the assist for Gilbert’s only goal, tallied by Bryant Silverio. Gilbert goalkeeper Dan Williams had an extraordinary evening. If it were not for Williams’ efforts in net, Wamogo would have doubtlessly walked away with a significantly higher score.

Gilbert falls to 0-3-1 with the loss at home. The Jackets play their next game at home Monday, Oct. 5, against Terryville at 3:45 p.m.

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