Abbott Tech celebrates its 2-1 victory over Bullard-Havens in the CTC Championship Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at Cheney Tech. (Photo Dan Nowak)
MANCHESTER — In the regular season, the Abbott Tech boys soccer team had Bullard-Havens’ number with a pair of wins.
The Wolverines still have Bullard-Havens’ number.
Matias Guaricela scored off a breakaway down the center of the field with 6 minutes left in the second ovetime to lead Abbott Tech to a 2-1 win over Bullard Havens in the Connecticut Technical Conference boys soccer tournament final at Cheney Tech on Saturday.
“This was my biggest goal of the season,” Gauricela said. “Someone, I don’t know who it was, gave me a great lead pass in stride. It allowed me to have a wide open shot. When I kicked it, I wasn’t sure if it would get by the goalie and go in. When it did, I was really excited.
“This championship means a lot to us. We worked hard and now we have some great momentum going into the state tournament (CIAC Class M).”
CTC champs!!!!!! AT wins it in OT 2-1!!! Unbelievable game by both teams. Congrats to all the AT players who gave it all they had for the W. @AbbottAthletics @CTC_Athletics @kcdurk @GameTimeCT #ctbsoc pic.twitter.com/aPYtES0P3p
— AbbottTechSoccer (@AbbottFutbol) November 10, 2019
In the first half, both sides had their opportunities. But Bullard-Havens goalie Miguel Martinez and Abbott Tech goalie Nick Seller, along with the teams’ on-field defenders, kept the game scoreless.
One of the best shots for Bullard-Havens came at 36:20 with a scramble in front of the Abbott Tech net. Joao Alves got his foot on the ball and was about to one-time a shot when two defenders cleared the ball away.
One of the Wolverines’ best opportunities also came late in the first half. Guaricela worked the ball in front of the left post and looked like he had a great chance to score. But Martinez engaged Guaricela and cleared the ball away at 37:40.
In the second half, both sides continued to miss opportunities. Alexander Ramirez had an opportunity about eight yards in front of the net but his header went wide right at 49:50.
The Wolverines worked the ball in front of the net and a wild scramble ensued for the ball. Abbott Tech’s A.J. Villa scored to take a 1-0 lead at 65:20. But Bullard-Havens wasted no tinme in answering the goal when Luis Ruiz one-timed a shot to tie the game at 1 at 69:47.
After a scoreless first oveertime, Guaricela found himsef in the right pace at the right time for the winning goal.
“We knew Bullard-Havens would make some adjustments after we beat them twice in the regular season,” Abbott Tech coach Adrian Solis said. “They really took it to us today. We knew our leading scorer (Danny Vasquez) would be double teammed today. I told Matias this would be his time to step up and he did.
“This title is a great feeling, along time coming, especially after going 3-10 lst season.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Matias Guaricela, Abbott Tech: Scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime to lead the Wolverines to the CTCT title.
QUOTABLE
“Our guys worked hard to be in this position, to win this title, everyone on this team contributes.” — Abott Tech coach Adrian Solis.
