WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — At halftime of the Hartford boys soccer team’s game versus Fair Haven on Friday, Kevin Guilbault challenged his team to stop playing selfish soccer. Poor passing and inferior offensive chances weren’t going to cut it.
Tarin Prior took notice. The junior tallied two assists as the Hartford High boys soccer team earned its first win of the season Friday afternoon, a 3-0 victory over visiting Fair Haven at Maxfield Sports Complex. After two one-goal losses that both came in overtime, the Hurricanes were glad to come out on top.
“I thought we were really sloppy (in the first half),” said the ninth-year coach. “And part of that was we were being really individual. Everybody’s first look was to take on the defender closest to them. At halftime, we talked about that disappointment, and the fact they were outworking and out-hustling and being more physical than us.
“I think the boys responded pretty well to it, though. It still took us 20 minutes to get us that first goal, but I think we played much better.”
Guilbault likes to play Prior up on offense but chose to move him back to midfield in the second half. Prior had a few opportunities to set teammates up for success in the early going of the second stanza but it wasn’t until the 58th minute when he finally connected with another Cane.
Nolan McMahon’s right foot drove home Prior’s pass from across the goal area, giving Hartford (1-2) a 1-0 lead with 22 minutes remaining.
Midfielder Nick Martin also could have put his foot on the ball as it passed directly in front of him before reaching McMahon.
The Canes extended their lead in the 66th minute, this time on a beautiful through ball from Prior to Dylan Morse, which was laid right on the senior’s chest.
Morse settled the ball around the penalty mark and fired a shot to the right of Fair Haven goalie Kole Matta.
Morse didn’t play soccer last year, instead opting for football. He’s back this season as a senior midfielder and captain. On Friday he recorded his first varsity goal.
“He’s got a composure about him around the net, he doesn’t try to hammer it,” Guilbault said.
Martin did get a goal, however, scoring in the 75th minute on a pass from Austin DeFelice to seal the Hartford win.
The senior received the pass and rushed to Matta’s left before easily tapping in the score.
Slaters coach Tim Dayton said that his team stuck with the strategy of counter pressing, dropping and sitting deep in the second half and it ultimately allowed for the Canes’ offense success.
“The thing is, the boys are still learning to counter press and how to do it effective enough,” he said. “And you saw what happens. If you leave yourself open too much, the field gets stretched vertically and they just hit it when we were vulnerable. They picked out the spots that we left open for them.”
Canes goalie Shane Miller made some outstanding saves, but his best came in the 56th minute when he leaped up to the top crossbar and knocked down a Fair Haven (0-3) corner kick.
Miller is in his third year as Hartford’s full-time starting goalkeeper after splitting time his freshman year. He gave up hockey last winter so he could focus on soccer for his senior year.
“He’s made some sacrifices in his life that I’m sure he didn’t want to make but he felt he needed to make,” Guilbault said. “It’s paid off for us. His goalkeeping has come a long way in doing that (decision). It’s nice to see him getting rewarded for that.”
NOTES: Hartford athletic director Jeff Moreno interrupted play in the 22nd minute of play and walked out to the center circle to remind both teams they must have their masks on at all times, per Vermont guidelines. … Construction has begun on a press box at the soccer fields at Maxfield. … The Hurricanes visit Woodstock on Tuesday afternoon. … They travel to Fair Haven for their last game of the regular season on Oct. 20.
Pete Nakos can be reached at pnakos@vnews.com.