Canton stuns Avon boys soccer team, 4-2, at Bowdoin

CANTON, Oct. 22 – The Avon High boys soccer team has handled Canton over the past decade, winning 11 games and tying four. But it’s never easy to play at Bowdoin Field, which is more narrow that traditional soccer fields. The field is 64 yards wide instead of 70 yards.

“Avon is one of the best ball control teams in the state,” Canton coach Bill Phelps said. “They control the ball on the ground and in the air.” The Falcons love to spread the field but it can be a tough task at Bowdoin Field, especially when the Warriors play with passion and intensity.

Canton scored 30 seconds into the game and two minutes into the second half as the Warriors upset Avon, 4-2 Monday afternoon, earning their first win over the Falcons since 2002. Senior Jimmy Spatcher scored three goals to lead Canton. Spatcher has scored 12 goals in the past five games for the Warriors.

“We were patient and forced them to make a mistake,” Phelps said. “It was a huge team effort.” The win enabled Canton (7-5) to qualify for the Class S tournament for the seventh straight year.

For Avon, the defeat was a big blow to the Falcons’ hopes to win a NCCC championship. Avon slips to 10-2-1 (21 points) with three games left in the regular season. The Falcons trail Suffield (11-1, 22 pts.), which has four games left.

Avon was hoping to draw even with a win over Suffield in a match Tuesday night under the lights at Avon High at 5 p.m. Suffield had handed Avon its previous loss in September, 1-0.

Canton took a 1-0 lead just 30 seconds into the game on a goal from Spatcher. The Falcons tied it up 10 minutes later. In the second half, Spatcher scored his second goal on a penalty kick after striker Alex Daley was taken down in the penalty box. Avon tied the game up again but Spatcher and Tanner Clark added goals to give Canton the victory.

“We’re playing really well and we’re beginning to hit on all cylinders now,” Phelps said. “I put a challenge to them. I told them that Avon is a very good team but if you keep them in check, you can play with them.”

How do you keep a team like Avon in check? It starts with good goaltending. Lang made some big saves early to gain confidence. The Warrior defense stepped up and played their men tight. Stopper Keith Loureiro and sweeper Nate Gallagher played outstanding games along with center midfielder Ben Corbett. Defender Evan Church was tenacious.

NOTES: Canton has won five of its last six games. … The two-goal win by Canton matches its highest margin of victory in the long series with Avon that began in 1969. Canton also won games by 4-2 scores in 1978 and 1985. … The minimum width for a soccer field is 60 feet wide.

Canton 4, Avon 2
At Canton
Avon (10-2-1)                      1  1  — 2
Canton (7-5)                        1  3  — 4
Goals: Jimmy Spatcher (C) 3, Tanner Clark (C); Fabrizio Rodriguez (A), Riley Strassner (A); Assists: Alex Daley (C) 2, Saves: Tyler Lang (C) 13, Phil Lopreiato (A) 8