Girls Soccer Drops Opener, 2-0

Second-year coach Allison Murphy was convinced by her team’s preseason that this year’s Windsor High School girls’ soccer team, even at this early stage, is better than the 2010 team that finished 5-10-1. A 2-0 loss at Platt (Meriden) Tuesday afternoon may have set the Lady Warriors back.

Windsor generated little offense Tuesday, trailing 1-0 at halftime. They survived a penalty kick in the second half, but gave up another goal in the final 90 seconds. The loss was the result of several Warriors playing in unaccustomed positions and injuries, each of which conspired to prevent them from playing with any real cohesiveness. Their play was a tick better in the second half, but it was not the dramatic turnaround Murphy sought during her halftime speech.

“This is the worst we’ve played definitely all year,” Murphy said. “We played well in the scrimmages, with better ball control. It was not a good day mentally for our players. We had several girls in new positions.

“They were in better shape than us, they had better control. When they got the ball, it was easy for them to manipulate it,” Murphy said.

The Warriors missed stopperback Brianna Pennant, a sophomore out with a broken toe, and sweeperback Shannon Lattal, a senior who left in the first half with an ankle injury.

The highlight for Windsor, which was limited to three shots on goal, was the play at the other end of the field by senior goaltender Ashley Santos, who has returned from a torn ACL a year ago. She was credited with 14 saves and kept Platt from a more comfortable win margin.

Santos received medical clearance to play in late August but has yet to practice. Her first action was the game. With only occasional flashes of hesitancy, Santos did not appear too rusty at all.

“I loved the play of our goalie – she was a beast for us last year,” Murphy said. “This was the first time she touched the ball since her injury. If she gets back to where she was last year, I think she can be an All-State player. It was a matter of her confidence today. But it was a good stepping stone for her.”

After several missed shots by Platt, Santos finally surrendered a goal 25 minutes into the first half when Jessica Kubeck set up Costello on a nifty play. Within a minute, Windsor had it best opportunity to score but Panthers’ goalie Ashley Dudley tipped the ball over the bar on a shot from Krystina Jackson. Soon after, Jackson launched a long-range shot that Dudley did well to control.

 “[Jackson] was fantastic for them,” Platt coach Bob Beale said. “She was a threat and [Lattal] was decent until she got hurt. [Left wing Sidney Ramkissoon] was quick. Their goalie did a real good job, too. She made a lot of saves, probably 15, 16 or 17.”

Platt’s defense was solid on passes to the center of the field, often intended for sophomore Alee Bonola and equally effective against balls played down the wing, often for Ramkissoon.

Costello’s second goal was result of sustained pressure by Platt and some loose play by the Windsor defense.