Bethel takes girls soccer opener 3-2 over Newtown

Bethel goalkeeper Sophia Corbo shut out Newtown in a very busy first half

Annie Bedore (2 goals) and Jess Keller (1 goal)

(Newtown CT) The Bethel girls soccer team opened their season with a 3-2 win over Newtown on Tuesday afternoon in South-West Conference action.

Newtown (0-1-2) fell behind 2-0 in the first half before tying the score midway through the second half. The Nighthawks looked to be heading for their third tie of the season before a dreaded “own” goal gave the visitors the lead late for good.

Sophomore Annie Bedore netted two goals for the Wildcats. Jess Keller (penalty kick) and Makenna Cerney cashed in for Newtown.

The key to the Bethel win was the amazing first-half goaltending of junior Sophia Corbo. The Nighthawks were held scoreless but believe me it wasn’t for lack of chances. Let the pictures tell the story:

Julie Shugrue in close

Makenna Cerney in close

Julia Schoeni shoots

Julia Schoeni collides with Sophia Corbo

GK Sophia Corbo robs Julia Schoeni

The Wildcats (1-0) had few chances in the first half but made the most of them. Annie Bedore was able to get in very close on both her scores. One of them came off a rebound of Alex DeLuca’s shot from the right.

Jess Keller fires a penalty kick in the second half

Newtown dominated most of the second half. Their chances weren’t as golden as in the first half but they tied the score. Senior Jess Keller drove a penalty kick to Sophia Corbo’s left for the first goal. On the second Nighthawks tally, Makenna Cerney dribbled in close and then finished off her own rebound.

Makenna’s goal made it 2-2 with plenty of the second half left. The Bethel defense began to limit Newtown’s opportunities. Most of the play was in the middle half of the field for quite a while.

A deflection off a Newtown defender gives Bethel the eventual game winner

Eventually Bethel earned a corner kick from the left. Alex DeLuca took the shot and got it into the middle in front of the net. The ball hit a Newtown defender and suddenly changed direction whizzing past Newtown GK Megan Doyle. That “own” goal ended up the game winner.

Nice setup at Treadwell Park for soccer and soccer viewing.

Both teams return to action on Thursday. Newtown visits New Fairfield while Bethel hosts Pomperaug.

I am able to add or subtract from this write-up. So if I missed something or need to add something let me know and I will do it.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)