Canton gets past Coventry for third time to advance to quarterfinals

The Warriors scored three goals in Tuesday’s second round win over Coventry in the Class S tournament, 3-2. Canton has scored 12 goals in two tournament wins.

There aren’t many secrets remaining when you play the same team three times in a season.

The No. 6 Canton girls soccer team faced No. 11 Coventry for the third time on Tuesday in a Class S second round contest at Nancy Grace Stadium and visiting Patriots didn’t give up a single goal to Canton junior Julia Kozak, who has scored a school-record 32 goals so far this season.

But Kozak did pick up a pair of assists as the Warriors advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in the last four seasons with a 3-2 victory.

Canton (13-4-1) will face No. 3 Old Saybrook (15-3-1) on Saturday at 11 a.m. on the road. The Rams bounced the Warriors from the tournament a year ago with a 1-0 win in the semifinals.

“They know the cast of characters,” Canton head coach Jim Potter said referring to Coventry and Tuesday’s tournament game. “And, so they double and triple team Julia for pretty much 90 percent of the game. But she persevered and was still able to get a couple of assists in there.”

Riley Ahlgren had two goals for Canton while Kayla Berning had one. Kenzie Yanke made four saves in net to secure the win. Yanke stopped a penalty kick late in the game that would have tied the contest.

The Warriors won their first tournament game late last week with a 9-0 win over Innovation from New Britain. Kozak and freshman Lillian O’Connor had two goals while Berning, Ally Chickos, Helen Canny, Maddisen Erha and Charlotte Davis each had one goal.

Potter is pleased with their play after two tournament games.

“The girls are working together fighting like a machine which is good,” he said. “Solid, simple passing. Obviously, we have our hiccups like any high school team but we are there to save each other and cover each other, which has been nice.”

Canton beat Coventry twice in the regular season by scores of 3-0 and 2-1.

Canton 3, Coventry 2
At Canton
Coventry (12-5-1)  0  2  — 2
Canton  (13-4-1)     1  2  — 3
Goals: Riley Ahlgren (Can) 2, Kayla Berning (Can); Assists: Julia Kozak (Can) 2; Saves: Kenzie Yanke (Can) 4; Of note: No. 6 Canton advances to Saturday’s quarterfinal game at No. 3 Old Saybrook. Coventry was ranked No. 11