Avon advances to Class L semifinals, beating No. 4 Bassick on penalty kicks

BRIDGEPORT, November 10 – On a cold, wet and windy evening in Bridgeport, the Avon High boys soccer team survived to earn a spot in the Class L semifinals for the fifth time in the last eight years.

No. 12 Avon and No. 4 Bassick-Bridgeport battled for 100 minutes before going to penalty kicks at Harding High School with the Falcons converting on their first four penalty kicks to win the shootout, 4-2 and advance.

“I’m very proud of the way we stuck together and maintained our collective self-belief,” Avon High coach David Zlatin said. “The game was very physical and the goal we allowed (just 8:54 into the game) was regrettable but we found a way (to win).”

Avon will face No. 17 Maloney-Meriden on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Windsor High. Avon beat Maloney on October 9 by a score of 4-1 but Maloney (10-4-5) has won three straight matches including victories over No. 1 Wilcox Tech and No. 8 Branford to earn a spot in the semifinals.

Bassick (13-3-2) took a 1-0 lead early in the game. Falcon goalie Max Frodermann couldn’t control the ball on a shot that set up Kevin Mones to give Bassick an early lead.

Avon tied the game just before halftime when Alex Rostenberg got open and drilling a shot from 25 yards awayinto the upper right corner for his eighth goal of the year.

Avon put pressure on Bassick in the second half and twice hit the crossbar on shots but the Falcons couldn’t break the deadlock. Avon enjoyed a 14-4 advantage on shots on goal.

Bassick ends the year with the best record in school history. Avon is looking to return to the Class L championship game for the first since 2015. The Falcons played in four Class L title games in five years from 2011-15, winning two state titles including a championship in 2015.

Avon 2, Bassick 1, 2 OT
At Bridgeport
Avon (12-4-3)              1  0  0  0  — 2
Bassick (13-3-2)          1  0  0  0  — 1
Goals: Alex Rostenberg (A), Kevin Sampayo Mones (B); Saves: Max Froderman (A) 5, Gustavo Poblano (B) 15; Penalty kicks: Avon won on PKs, 4-2; Froderman (A), Thomas Kennan (A), Ian Stapleton (A), Ryan Barkiewicz (A)