Bears soccer team earns third consecutive shutout against Harding

By Andy Hutchison

NORWALK – The Norwalk High School’s boys soccer team is making it look easy these days. The Bears earned their third straight shutout in a 7-0 blanking of Harding at home last Saturday.

Norwalk improved to 11-1 overall, and has defeated Harding, Bassick of Bridgeport and Brien McMahon by a combined score of 17-0 in its past three games. Those teams have just six wins between them.

Matt Capomolla and Kevin Joslyn both scored twice, and Chris Miklave, George Kutrubis and Cory Sainsmyr also hit the back of the net in the triumph over Harding.

In what has become a familiar display of strong teamwork, all seven net-finders were assisted. Nacho Navarro set up two goals, and Santiago Muriel, Andrew Melitsanopoulos, Kutrubis, Peter Garcia and Sergio Mandujano all had assists. The Bears didn’t allow a shot against, and maintained pressure on Harding’s defense from the get go, finishing with 25 shots and 10 corner kicks.

One of the advantages of the blowout is that everyone who was healthy got a chance to play for Norwalk.

In fact, 22 of the 23 team members got into last Saturday’s game, with only the injured Michael Nowicki not playing.

“These guys deserve it. They work really hard in practice,” Norwalk Coach Chris Laughton said. “I think a lot of them really made the most of their opportunity.”

That includes Kutrubis, a freshman. Standing at 5-foot-1, the speedy player acknowledges that it is tough to go up against bigger, more experienced high school foes, but he enjoys the challenge.

“I pretty much just go out all out,” he said. “It feels amazing, I’m at a loss for words right now. It’s really fun being with everybody and when everybody else came in it was even better.”

In these lopsided wins, the Bears are trying to maintain their focus and sharpness on a path back to the postseason. Last year they lost in the first round of the FCIAC playoffs, but rebounded to reach the semifinals of the Class LL state tournament.

“We want to try to get better as a team, possess the ball as much as we can and do better as a unit,” Capomolla said.

“I feel really comfortable this year with this team.”
© NorwalkCitizenOnline.com

NORWALK – Matt Capomolla and Kevin Joslyn scored two goals apiece as the Bears ran their record to 11-1 with the easy win over the Presidents (1-10).

Chris Miklave, George Kutrubis and Corey Sainsmyer also scored for Norwalk and Nacho Navarro picked up a pair of assists.

Svet Kozak and Tyler Dalton shared the shutout for the Bears, who outshot Harding, 25-1. Kozak worked the first half and Dalton took over after intermission.
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