WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock High boys soccer team needed a hero, and senior Elijah Tyrell delivered, breaking a scoreless tie late in the second half to lead the Wasps to a 1-0 win Thursday at home against Fair Haven High.
After a scoreless 70-plus minutes, Woodstock (4-4-1) drew a corner kick. Senior Drew Gallagher sent a lofted ball into the 18-yard box, allowing Tyrell to get into position and head it in with 8:49 remaining, for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
“It was difficult, man; it was stressful to watch,” Wasps head coach Alex Montaño said after the win.
“(It was) a very physical game; we’re very evenly matched with this team, so we knew it was going to be a tough matchup… we’re beat up, but pretty happy,” he added.
Montaño was complimentary of Tyrell, who had been flying around the field all game before coming up big for his squad.
“He runs so much, and somehow when I think he’s out of gas, he finds more, and he keeps going,” he said.
Adding: “So, he’s a very important part of our game plan because we can count on him going forward, but we also know that he’s going to come back and help on defense.”
During a scoreless first half, both teams had stretches of good possession and some chances, whether from corners, free kicks, or during the run of play. Despite that, neither the Wasps nor the Slaters could capitalize.
The second half told a similar story. Early on, Woodstock senior Luke Hecker was dishing; the only issue was that his passes were intended for teammates who were offside. Fair Haven had similar issues as the frame continued.
As both teams pushed for the first goal, the game grew more physical, with strong challenges from each squad.
Amid the physicality, Fair Haven junior Cylas Wood received a yellow card; Woodstock sophomore Max Rosenbach was also carded shortly after his team took the lead.
After Tyrell’s go-ahead goal, the Slaters pushed and came close to tying the game.
One of Fair Haven’s best chances came with under five minutes remaining on a moon-ball of a shot from senior Brody Doran that hit the crossbar.
As Fair Haven pressed, things got dicey for the Wasps with a little over a minute remaining.
After a ball went out of bounds, Rosenbach received his second yellow card of the game for delay of game when he got the ball and placed it on the ground, as the Wasps took their time late.
The officials’ ruling meant Woodstock played down a player in crunch time, but the Wasps stayed solid defensively and secured the win.
Woodstock’s latest victory is another notch in its belt as it works toward goals of being at least .500 and hosting a playoff game, one year removed from winning just one game.
“We’re on track for that, so, at this point in the season, coming from a season with one win last year — I couldn’t be happier,” Montaño said.
The Wasps visit Hartford on Saturday at 11 a.m.
