After giving up lead, No. 17 Avon boys rally to eliminate Ledyard

The Avon High boys soccer team looked like they were on their way to the next round of the CIAC Class L tournament Monday afternoon in Ledyard.

Trevor Moretti scored three goals in the first 13 minutes of Monday’s first round game to give the Falcons a three-goal lead against No. 16 Ledyard.

But the host Colonials scored three unanswered goals in a span of 12 minutes to tie the game.

No. 17 Avon responded with a pair of second half goals from Braden Gilbey to beat Ledyard, 5-3 and advance to the second round of the Class L tournament. Avon (9-5-3) will face top seed Cheshire (11-2-1) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the road.

“This team has shown great character all season,” Avon High coach David Zlatin said. “Tonight, we faced another test after blowing an early 3-0 lead.  But every single player was better in the second half and we eventually got the goals our effort and commitment deserved.”

Moretti his first goal just 1:44 into the game off an assist from Gilbey and made it 2-0 with just 6:12 gone in the game off an assist from Lucas Monteiro. Moretti got the hat trick with 13:11 gone in the contest off another assist from Gilbey.

Gilbey got the game-winning goal with 20 minutes left in the game and added an insurance goal with about seven minutes remaining.

Avon 5, Ledyard 3
At Ledyard
Avon (9-5-3)         3  2  — 5
Ledyard (9-7-1)    3  0  — 3
Goals: Trevor Moretti (A) 3, Braden Gilbey (A) 2, Finn Scully (L), Sam Hopkins (L), Peyton Luther (L); Assists: Gilbey 2, Lucas Monteiro (A) 2, Moretti; Saves: Buster Akers (A) 5, Paul Templeton (L) 4; Shots: Avon 14-13; Corner kicks: Avon, 9-4