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Coventry teaches some lessons in 4-0 win over Warrior boys

Coventry's Jacob Figueiroda (17) and Canton's Luke Brown (7) battle for the ball in Saturday night's NCCC game in Canton. The visiting Patriots prevailed, 4-0.

Coventry’s Jacob Figueiroda (17) and Canton’s Luke Brown (7) battle for the ball in Saturday night’s NCCC game in Canton. The visiting Patriots prevailed, 4-0.

CANTON, Oct. 3 – The Canton High boys soccer team got a first-hand look at what it will take if they want to win a state championship in the next few weeks. Coventry used superior ball movement, quickness and smart play to blank the Warriors, 4-0 in a non-conference battle under portable lights on the high school’s turf field.

It was part of the 17th annual night soccer doubleheader sponsored by the Booster Club and Canton Youth Soccer Association.

Coventry (7-0, 4-0 NCCC) received goals from four different players. A crossing pass from Jacob Figueiroda and some miscommunication in the Canton defense gave the visiting Patriots a 3-0 lead. Coventry’s Sean Gannon beat a Canton defender and went 1-on-1 with Warrior goalie Josh Frigo, putting a hard shot into the lower right corner of the net for a 4-0 lead.

“They’re a good team,” Canton coach Bill Phelps said. “Now, (Canton) knows what they need to do if they want to win a state championship. Our defense has to be better. Our midfield has to work harder and our forwards have to make better passes and create better opportunities.”

Canton (4-2-1, 3-0-1 NCCC) didn’t play poorly. But Coventry was a step quicker and they were a step ahead in the way they passed the ball around the field.

It was Canton’s third game in five days. The Warriors whipped Hartford Classical, 7-1 and battled to a 1-1 tie with Ellington on Thursday. “We were running on all cylinders against Ellington on Thursday,” Phelps said. “For us, it is a matter of getting healthy and staying healthy.”

Due to injuries, Phelps said he has yet to field his best 11 players at one time. Still, he is optimistic about Canton’s chances to contend for a championship in Class S. “I’ve seen some of the best passing and best work I have seen in years back to 2003,”he said. That was the year that Canton last played in the Class S final and won a state title.

This game is classified as a non-conference. Thirteen games against the other 13 NCCC schools count toward the league championship. Canton does close the season with Coventry on the road on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. An overtime win over SMSA and an overtime loss to Windsor Locks were also non-league games for the Warriors.

Players from Canton Youth Soccer Association played at halftime of the varsity boys and varsity girls games.

Players from Canton Youth Soccer Association played at halftime of the varsity boys and varsity girls games.

Boys halftie DSC_2289

NOTES: Frigo made 11 saves in net for Canton. Eric Amende and Jack Galey had first half goals for Coventry. Patriot goalie Nicholas Erkshine made 10 stops in net to earn the win. … Canton is now 6-8-3 in its annual games at home under the lights.

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.

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