Firecrackers Battle In Soccer Tourney

The Newtown U9 Firecrackers, after only one practice to prepare for the Newtown Soccer Club Memorial Day Tournament, took on travel teams and came in second in the division. Game highlights are as follows:

Newtown 1, Weston 1: Isabella Manfredi scored off a great pass from Hannah Groonell. Kaitlyn King, playing sweeper, was able to shut down the Weston team while Colleen Phanuef was outstanding in goal with many saves.

Newtown 3, Wilton 1: Mary Celentano had a score and Kaley Meisenheimer added two, leading the team to victory. Aniko Walsh controlled the midfield with Laura Augenbraun.

Newtown 2, Trumbull 0: Faith O’Hara and Isabella Manfredi both scored off PKs, leading the Firecrackers to a win. Maddie Stites and Holly Ankers were awesome on defense while Hannah Daly controlled midfield, setting up a few breakaways.

Southbury 1, Newtown 0: In the final, Newtown showed great effort and determination against a strong Southbury team which went into the final undefeated and beating prior teams by six goals or more.  It was a complete team effort, with Daly and Groonell playing keeper with great saves. Walsh and O’Hara shared duty at striker. O’Rourke, Meisenheimer, Celentano, Augenbraun, and Manfredi controlled midfield, The defense, led by King, Ankers, Phaneuf, and Stites, was stifling.