The Newtown U11 Vipers clinched first place in the Striker Indoor Winter Classic Tournament last month at the O’Neill Center of Western Connecticut State University. Eight U11 teams from both Connecticut and New York battled in 18-minute, non-stop games with substitutions made “on the fly”. The Vipers maintained an undefeated record throughout their 3 preliminary matches and then each of the three single-elimination playoff games, scoring a combined 14 goals and allowing only two.

The games:

NEWTOWN 2, CHAPPAQUA (NY) 1: Although Newtown gave up an early goal, the Vipers regained their composure quickly and netted two before the match ended. Max Hoagland was first to score for Newtown with Paul Andras following with one of his own. Nick Kallivrousis and Chris Schreiber helped control the midfield while Kevin Davies anchored a solid defense in front of goalie Alex Bowen.

NEWTOWN 1, NEW FAIRFIELD (B) 0: Andras scored the lone goal of the match, as the New Fairfield (B) team gave Newtown a tough quick paced match. Bowen was again strong in goal with Mat DeBrantes and Ethan Canfield denying New Fairfield’s offense with convincing denial. Drew Taylor took on the pressure of center-mid and kept the Viper’s ball movement quick and clean. Anthony Florez and Chris Schreiber energized the Viper offense.

NEWTOWN 3, BETHEL JAGUARS 0: The Vipers’ last preliminary match was with the Bethel Jaguars and the Vipers’ offense once again took control. Andras netted two with Bowen adding another. Hoagland took his turn minding the net for Newtown and played with confidence. Shutting out the aggressive Jaguar attack, Kallivrousis, Canfield and Schreiber played well both offensively and on defense.

NEWTOWN 1, BROOKFIELD 0: In the quarterfinals, the defense was the cornerstone with DeBrantes, Davies and Kallivrousis confidently shutting down Brookfield in front of keeper Bowen. Building on the rock solid defense Taylor, Schreiber and Canfield all pushed forward. With the match about to end 0-0, Andras blasted his 4th goal of the night past the Bobcat keeper with 40 seconds left to play.

NEWTOWN 4, BETHEL BULLDOGS 0: In the semi-finals, Newtown received the spark it needed with the late arrival of center-midfielder Justin Miller. The Vipers, re-energized, proceeded to find the Bobcat net four times with Hoagland, Miller Canfield and Schreiber all scoring. Bowen again recorded a shutout with the help of Andras and DeBrantes on defense. Davies and Taylor both pushed forward and aided in the powerful offense onslaught.

NEWTOWN 3, NEW FAIRFIELD (A) 1: Eleven minutes into the tournament final, Miller found the nylon and put Newtown up, 1-0. New Fairfield tied the score, but Newtown would allow no more and once again Davies, DeBrantes and Bowen combined forces to shut down the opposition. Florez and Canfield helped Newtown with aggressive minutes and when Miller put the Vipers up 2-1 with nine minutes to play, the Vipers took control. Taylor’s confident ball movement helped Newtown push forward with consistent pressure. Hoagland netted the “clincher” for Newtown with only two minutes to play as the Viper won the final 3-1 and the first place position with a tournament record of 6-0-0.

Oakwood Indoor U12 Division I

 

GUILFORD 8, NEWTOWN 3: The Vipers competed in the U12 division at Oakwood Sports Center in Hamden and opened with a physical match against Guilford. Mat DeBrantes and Michael Kennedy strengthened the defense with Aaron Fay, Paul Andras and Drew Taylor all contributing with aggressive play in midfield. Although the Vipers fell behind in the opening minutes, they rallied back as Michael Klein pushed one passed the Guilford goalie. Guilford added two more before the close of the half while Justin Miller netted one more for the Vipers. Miller tied the match at 3-3 early in the second half but the quick Guilford offense came alive late in the second half rallied for five more for the win.

NEWTOWN 6, NORWALK 3:  The Vipers beat the Norwalk U12’s in an aggressive, fast-paced match that began with three Vipers (Justin Miller, Drew Taylor and Paul Andras) all scoring in the first half . . . while Alex Bowen, in goal for Newtown, shut down Norwalk’s attack. Norwalk rallied back and in the early minutes of the second half, with a big lineup on the field, netted two goals, but Newtown’s Anthony Florez netted a ball crossed by Max Hoagland and the Viper attack came alive again. Miller and Hoagland each added another bringing the Viper tally to six. Norwalk squeaked a third ball into the net late, but the Vipers dominated play and came away with their first U12 division win. Michael Klein gave strong minutes both offensively and defensively. Nick Kallivrousis helped control the Viper physical play, against the bigger and stronger Norwalk squad.

SCSU Indoor Tournament

 

The Newtown Vipers finished second in the SCSU (South Central Southern University) Indoor Soccer Tournament after a 1-1 tie with Manchester (Newtown needed to win to ease past Fairfield for the title).

The games:

NEWTOWN 1, MANCHESTER 1: In the Vipers’ final game, Manchester, not playing for a first place position but playing for pride, matched up against the Vipers and held Newtown scoreless until Paul Andras put one in the net for the Vipers. Manchester tied on an own goal and then Newtown feverishly attacked and within the last five minutes created seven assaults on goal – but all attempts were either wide, high or denied and the match ended in a 1-1 tie.

In earlier matches:

NEWTOWN 2, BETHEL 0: Bethel could not match the Viper ball movement and confidence. Hoagland and Canfield each scored from the offensive push. Davies, DeBrantes and Kallivrousis all helped defensively in front of Bowen in the net.

NEWTOWN 0, FAIRFIELD 0: Both teams matched up well but a small roster for Newtown (conflicts with other sports) hampered their ability to place one in the net. Chris Schreiber and Ethan Canfield played well offensively with Taylor and Andras sharing time creating play from the center. Bowen again minded a busy net and recorded another shut out.

NEWTOWN 2. BRISTOL 0: Alex Bowen stood tall in the net for Newtown. Mat DeBrantes and Kevin Davies were the defensive cornerstones while Justin Miller and Drew Taylor controlled mid-field. Max Hoagland and Anthony Florez both scored for the Vipers with Tony Gallucci helping up front, with supportive and energetic play.