Knights' solid season ends in tourney

Ellington's Andrew Cohen fires a shot at goal in the Knights' first-round match vs. Weston in the CIAC tournament on Nov. 10. Photos by Steve Smith.

After a great start to the class M tournament, the Ellington boys’ varsity soccer team’s season came to a close on Nov. 14 with a loss to Bacon Academy in the quarterfinal round. The Knights posted back-to-back wins on Nov. 10 and 11 in the first and second rounds, vs. Weston and Holy Cross, respectively.

Coach Roy Gurnon said his team was playing very good soccer, after the Weston match. “The players took what we had to say, constructively, and we just went out and did what we had to do,” he said, adding that his team was able to stay composed and in control, even in game situations that became, at times, chaotic.

Gurnon added that the playoff schedule, condensed due to delays caused by hurricane Sandy, was not a “kid-friendly” one. As the tournament progressed, Gurnon had his squad working on keeping that composure, and not over-committing on the field. “We kind of put ourselves under pressure [sometimes],” he said. “That’s our biggest problem.”

Gurnon, whose teams are perennial tournament contenders, said this year’s squad was a “laid-back group,” but were very capable of rising to the occasion when they needed to. “When it comes time to play, they just get out there and enjoy playing,” he said, “but since they are a laid-back group, you never have a feel for exactly where they’re at. They’re very good on the ball, and share the ball really well.”

The Ellington Knights finished the regular season with a 12-2-2 record and a 2-1 playoff record. For more information and a complete tournament bracket, visit www.casciac.org.