The Amity boys’ soccer team hit
a small rough patch during the middle
of its season, but the squad has
since rebounded heading into the
state tournament.
“The team started out great, we
hit a small rut in the mid-season but
I am very happy with the way we are
playing. It is what we have worked
for this year and hope to continue,”
said Michael Marchitto, who is the
head coach.
As of press time, Amity has a
record of 12-3-4. Amity defeated
Shelton in the first round of the
Southern Connecticut Conference
tournament, and most recently, Marchitto’s
squad had a 2-0 victory over
Simsbury on November 5.
He said it’s hard to single out individual
players because the team’s
success is the fact everyone plays together.
“We would not be here without a
team effort and we do it all together.
Dean Schwartz has been a key to our
play. He has moved from center mid
to forward and continues to dominate,”
Marchitto said. “Our goalie
Griffin Volta has become a great
leader and we would not be where
we are without him.”
He said he can also mention the
team’s other captain, Justyn Broderick,
playing excellent on the outside,
and Evan Donahue playing through
injury and controlling Amity’s defense.
Others who have excelled include
Simone Kantor, who moved to the
center mid, Jeremy Conn and his
ability to play an excellent pass,
Matt Whitehill and his “aggressive
play” on the outside mid, and Joe
Babbitt who is solid as the team’s
holding mid, the coach said.
“But as I have said most importantly
we have come together as a
solid group playing great soccer at a
very important part of the season,”
Marchitto said.
Recaps
Against Simsbury, Amity outshot
them 15-14 and Volta had 11 saves.
Amity scored both goals in the second
half including Conn and
Schwartz, and Conn assisted on
Schwartz’s goal.
Against Shelton, Amity defeated
Shelton on penalty kicks 3-0 after
being deadlocked at two after regulation.
Volta had 15 saves.