LITCHFIELD — Litchfield’s girls soccer team blew the doors off a half-time tie with Thomaston for a 7-1 Class S first-round win at Litchfield’s Plumb Hill Field Tuesday afternoon.
A Golden Bear goal by Danja Dauti just six minutes into the game and a frigid wind doing most of the first-half blowing threatened a major upset between the Berkshire League opponents pitting No. 7 Litchfield (13-3-1) against No. 26 Thomaston (6-10-1).
Litchfield’s Christina Orsini tied the score on a rebound off Thomaston goalkeeper Courtney LeClair midway through the half.
CIAC GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT SCOREBOARD / SCHEDULE
Nevertheless, an active Thomaston defense and a great job by LeClair flew in the face of tournament seedings and two Berkshire League regular-season blowouts by the Cowgirls.
“We made it to the tournament for the first time in Thomaston history,” Bears coach Jen Ewart said. “That was our goal.”
But the Cowgirls, responsible for BL champion Housatonic’s only regular-season loss, had loftier goals.
“We told them at halftime, ‘Somebody’s got to step up,’ ” Coach Mike Wilson said.
Five different Cowgirls heard the call for second-half goals, but it sounded clearest of all to Ella Demers, responsible for three assists.
“She turned it on in the second half. She was all over the field,” Wilson said. “I’ve never seen her play a better game.”
Freshman Camilla Seymour was often right there with Demers. Seymour served a perfect cross to Lucy Kraut in the box four minutes into the second half for the Cowgirl lead.
Two more close shots followed.
Eight minutes in, Demers put a free kick onto the far post for Orsini’s second goal.
A minute later, Fran Luzzi came up with a Demers pass in traffic and the game was out of reach at 4-1.
Thomaston’s LeClair (9 saves) continued her heroics, falling on a loose ball at the net in the 12th minute.
But the doors were off the barn and the Cowgirls’ horses were running free.
Freshman Emily Migliori scored on a rebound off LeClair in the 14th minute.
Seymour finished the final two goals on passes from Demers and Luzzi, 20 and 19 minutes from the end.
Litchfield hosts the winner of Tuesday’s game between No. 10 Parish Hill and No. 23 Wolcott Tech Thursday at 2 p.m.
