Norwalk bounced by Rams

By MIKE MADAR
Hour Correspondent

NORWALK — During the regular season, Norwalk allowed just two goals on its home turf. Friday, the top-seeded Bears surrendered three in a stunning loss in penalty kicks to eighth­seeded New Canaan in the FCIAC quarterfinals.

Andres Torres scored all three goals for the Bears but his shot toward the low left corner in the fifth round of penalties was stopped by Rams keeper — and clearly the man of the match — Scott Levene (11 saves).

Steven Valente followed and buried his attempt in the low left corner as the Rams pulled off the upset of a team it lost 3-0 to just 10 days earlier.

After the game emotions ran wild as both teams were at midfield for penalty kicks. With New Canaan cel­ebrating, the teams exchanged words as they headed toward their respective benches.

In the first half of extra time, Torres scored his third goal of the game on a beautiful set up by Nic Zuniga who dribbled past four Rams and slid a pass through the defense. New Canaan came back in the second half of extra time and scored on a 50-yard free kick off the foot of Levene, the keeper. From in front of the Norwalk bench Levene sent in a bending shot that went over everyone and in between the far post and Norwalk keeper Svet Kozak.

Torres had given Norwalk an early lead 33 seconds into the game when he flicked the ball over the charging keeper and headed it in.

Six minutes into the second half, New Canaan tied it when Nicolas Deambrosio finished off a pass from Valente.

In the 54th minute Jake Zuniga slipped a pass through the middle as Torres crossed with Spencer Jacoby to freeze the Rams defense. Torres found the ball and easily placed it in the far corner for a 2-1 lead.

With 15 minutes left in regulation, Deambrosio got his head on a free kick that Kozak turned away but Jon-Luke Ferrandino was there to clean up the rebound.

New Canaan advances to Monday night’s semifinals where it will face fourth-seeded Warde at Ludlowe. Warde advanced with a 1-0 win over Ridgefield.

Norwalk will host a Class LL state tournament game on Nov. 8.

© 2010 The Hour Newspaper.