By Evan Triantafilidis
news@southburyrecord.com
Pomperaug High School girls soccer (5-1-0) stayed unbeaten Tuesday with a gritty 1-0 victory over Notre Dame Prep, extending its shutout streak and climbing to the top of the South-West Conference standings.
Eloise Hogrefe provided the difference in the 10th minute, blasting a right-footed strike from 25 yards out that sailed over the keeper’s head.
“The job isn’t finished,” head coach Tony Viscuso reminded his celebrating team afterward, knowing the defensive stand in the final minutes was among their toughest challenges so far.
Although it was only the fifth game of the season, the match featured two teams that hadn’t let up a goal since their first of the year.
It was during the game’s first 10 minutes that saw the difference-maker: a right-footed strike, about 25 yards out, from Hogrefe, that sailed right over the goalkeeper’s head.
With a game plan in hand for how to attack the open space given to her, Viscuso called it a “great shot”.
“Her anticipation in those moments is unbelievable,” Viscuso said of Hogrefe. “As a box-to-box midfielder, she just reads those scenarios phenomenally.
The final 10 minutes of the 80-minute match had perhaps been his team’s toughest task to date, with a defensive stand in a playoff-like atmosphere.
Senior captain Mariella Genovese swept away some would-be opportunities for Notre Dame Prep, and goalkeeper Madelyn Martino kept another clean sheet for the Panthers.
“Her mentality is relentless,” Viscuso said of Genovese. “From a defensive standpoint, she understands that side of the ball. She’s a gamer. Anytime we need her to win an aerial ball, make a tackle, or get in a player’s head, that’s what she does from a defensive standpoint.”
Notre Dame Prep head coach Wayne Mones gave credit to Pomperaug’s defense and goalkeeping after the match, adding that his team can’t seem to find the back of the net as of late.
“[Martino] is a very good goalie; she’s not going to give us anything cheap,” said Mones. “I thought we fought hard after we gave up a bad goal.”
The 1-0 victory against Notre Dame Prep on Tuesday was followed by a 7-0 win against Stratford High School, keeping the Panthers undefeated in conference play.
Additionally, the Panthers have yet to concede a goal since the first half of their season opener against non-league opponent Woodland High School.
As of Friday morning, Pomperaug sits alone at the top of the South-West Conference, followed by Brookfield and Newtown, both with 4 wins and 1 loss.
The Panthers next play on Saturday at noon as the visitors against the Wildcats of Bethel High School. Next, a pair of home games are scheduled for Thursday, September 25 (vs. Weston High School) and Monday, September 29 (vs. Thomaston High School).
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