While the Bethel High boys soccer team struggled throughout to capitalize on its chances in regulation and two overtimes, goalkeeper Troy Deyo came up big in the shootout to move the Wildcats past Weston High in the opening round of the Class M state tournament.
Deyo stopped three penalty kicks and scored on his own attempt as the No. 14 Wildcats (10-4-3) beat No. 19 Weston (8-5-4) 1-0 after surviving two rounds of penalty kicks.
“Credit to Troy, he made some big saves at key points and he buried his,” coach Tony Fernandes said. “It boosted his confidence even more…after that I had the feeling we were going to win.”
Deyo stopped both of the Trojans’ final two shots in the opening round, including a diving stop against Sam Ruben on the final shot of the first round to keep the Wildcats’ (10-4-3) season alive.
“We were one kick away from our season ending,” Fernandes said. “Obviously our goalkeeper stepped up tremendously today.”
Both teams missed their first kick in the second round of penalty kicks, Bethel’s Pedro Alves was stopped, while Weston’s Michael Certoma hit the crossbar and went straight down but did not cross the goal line. Nicholas Miner put the Wildcats up 3-2 before Weston’s Marcal Beaudry missed wide left.
Deyo was then called upon to shoot, and scored to put the Wildcats up 4-2.
“After he scored I really felt we were going to win,” Fernandes said. “We took the lead and his confidence was probably through the roof.”
Weston’s Jared Weisman and Bethel’s Kevin Farias both shot wide, meaning the Trojans needed to make both of their next two kicks to have a chance at keeping their season alive. After keeping the Wildcats alive with a save earlier, Deyo ended the Trojans’ season when he dove to his right and knocked away Jacob Knopping’s shot.
“He saved the last one, the kid’s the hero today, I’m glad for him,” Fernandes said.
Prior to the shootout, the Wildcats were able to generate a majority of the scoring chances but were unable to capitalize, which is something that will need to change if they hope to go after another state title.
“My only concern, as a team we made the game harder than we needed to,” Fernandes said. “In the first half I think we could have blown the game off with three or four goals…we can’t keep going along like that, we’ve got to finish the chances and put the team away sooner.”
Joey Merheb and Andriy Paparo each scored in the opening round of the shootout and were strong throughout.
“We were fortunate enough to get through,” Fernandes said. “This time of year that’s the key, trying to advance and get through to the next round.”
Bethel will play at No. 3 Suffield High on Monday at 2 p.m. The Suffield Wildcats enter the game 15-1, and have given up just two goals all season.
“We were fortunate enough to get through,” Fernandes said. “This time of year that’s the key, trying to advance and get through to the next round.”
