Avon boys fall one game short in quest to win a state championship

Farmington’s Vasil Borisevich (9) battles with Avon’s Stephen Dorney (17) in Friday’s Class L championship game.

MERIDEN, Nov. 23 – David Zlatin, the assistant coach of the Avon High boys soccer team, stood tall among a group of reporters following the Class L championship game at Falcon Field.

At one end of the field, players from victorious Farmington High celebrated with gusto the 10th state championship in school history from the boys soccer program.

At the other end of the field, players from Avon quietly packed up their gear and headed off the field frustrated after a 5-0 defeat.

Farmington scored two goals in a seven minute span in the first half and then received a gift goal when Falcon goalie Phil Lopreiato lost the ball in the sun and it sailed over his head for a three-goal lead late in the first half.

“If we had gotten to halftime down two goals, perhaps we could make something happen,” Zlatin said. “But to be down three goals is really an uphill struggle at that point.”

The game didn’t turn on that third goal. It merely served as a moment that said this was going to be Farmington’s day to win a state championship.

Colin Cheesman scored two goals as the Indians won its third title in five seasons and its first Class L championship since 2003. Farmington won a pair of Class LL crowns in 2008 and 2010.

“Our plan was to defend first and then attack from there,” said long-time Farmington coach Steve Waters, who has coached the Indians to eight state championship victories. “I don’t think (Avon) was ready for our style or our competitive play. We put everything together today. We were focused and we were disciplined. It was good to see.”

It made for a long day for the Falcons, who lost in the Class L finals for the second straight season. A year ago, Avon was shutout by Bunnell-Stratford, 3-0.

“We didn’t react well in the first half,” Zlatin said. “I wish we had reacted better. But full credit to (Farmington). They pressed hard and forced us into errors.”

Avon (16-4-1) did have some chances early. Farmington goalie Jeff Crook punched out a sharp shot off the foot of freshman Riley Strassner with about 13 minutes gone in the first half. A few minutes later, Strassner’s shot off an Avon corner kick sailed over the crossbar.

Sean Janson did get into open space on a breakway with 26:27 left in the first half and Crook came out and made a great save to keep the game scoreless.

Farmington (16-2-3) took a 1-0 lead when Guido Schutz took a great pass from Bradley Druzinsky on the right sideline. One step ahead of an Avon defender, Schutz drove to the goal and beat Lopreiato with a great shot into the far corner of the net.

Seven minutes later, the Indians made it 2-0 when Avon was unable to clear the ball out of the penalty area. Cheeseman pounced on the loose ball and scored with 10:01 left in the half.

The third goal from Vasil Borisvich took the wind of Avon’s sails. The Falcons had a few runs in the second half but it was clear that it was just a matter of time for Farmington.

“This is one of our better games in a few years,” Waters said. “We haven’t had five goals in one game in I don’t know how long.”

After the game, Zlatin told the team not to forget the first 20 games of the season. “We focused on the positive and what we did to get here (to the finals),” he said. “It’s a shame we didn’t play our best today but to get back here after losing 10 starters from last year’s team was terrific.”

After a stunning 4-2 loss to Canton in late October and a 1-0 loss to league champion Suffield in the following game, Avon won six straight matches to earn a spot in the championship game.

In the tournament, Strassner had the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over E.O. Smith in the opening game of the tournament. In the second round, Bobby Zaino had a goal and one assist in a 2-1 decision over Bethel.

That was followed by a 4-0 win over Berlin in the quarterfinals with Zaino scoring two goals and Jason Leaning and Steve Dorney adding tallies. In the semifinals, it was Daniel Leszczynski scoring off a free kick from David Freling with 10:46 left in the game to lift Avon to a 1-0 decision over Hand-Madison.

It was the 14th appearance for Avon in the championship game. Avon is 7-7 and last won a state title when they beat Lewis Mills for the Class M title in 2001 by a 3-2 score. Farmington also beat Avon, 3-1, for a Class M championship in 1986.

It was the first game between the former long-time rivals since 1989 when they met in the Class M tournament. Avon and Farmington used to play each other yearly when they were members of the Northwest Conference but Avon withdrew from the league in 1984.

Farmington 5, Avon 0
At Meriden
Farmington (16-2-3)              3  2 – 5
Avon (16-4-1)                        0  0 – 0
Goals: Joshua Moreno (F), Colin Cheeseman (F) 2, Vasil Borisvich (F), Guido Shutz (F); Shots: Farmington 14-7, Saves: Jeffrey Crook (F) 8, Phil Lopreiato (A) 7; Corner kicks: Farmington, 6-2