Northwestern soccer falls against Lewis Mills

WINSTED — It was a tough matchup for the Highlanders, even tougher as a season opener. 

The Northwestern Regional High School girls varsity soccer team kicked off their season on Friday, Sept. 9, falling 2-0 to perennial powerhouse Lewis Mills, who they also faced in the last home game of their 2015 campaign.

Despite losing eight seniors from last year’s 15-1 team, the Spartans were more than able to handle the Highlanders, controlling the pace and putting constant pressure on the Northwestern back line with a speedy midfield and strong play around the goal.

 “Defensively, I thought we played okay,” said Highlander head coach Jared Stotler. “Just struggling with their speed a little — we have to be a little more physical, I think — that will help us moving forward.”

Stotler played a conservative game from the start, holding his midfield back and banking on a “bend but don’t break” approach against the high-powered Spartan attack. When the Highlanders could slow the pace and settle, it looked good.

Far too often, though, Mills was able to get space and break through on counterattacks, catching Northwestern out of position with their speed and deft passing.

A heroic effort by the Highlanders’ junior keeper Gina Weingart, who showed tremendous poise and resolve under a constant barrage by the Spartans, kept Northwestern in the game, and her steady presence in goal, Stotler said, is something the team will be counting on.

“She’s a junior, but she’s still one of our leaders,” Stolter said. “[Weingart] helps organize things as the goalie. She loves the big game and plays really well. She keeps us in the game with just her being back there, I think we have a lot of confidence, everyone has confidence in her, which I think helps everyone in front of her.”

Time after time, a Mills attacker would be running free up the middle, or a dangerous cross would slip past the Highlanders defense, with no one but Weingart between the Spartans and the net.

Again and again, charging out of the box to deflect a point-blank shot or leaping to get hands on a ball, she fought off the onslaught.

In the space of two minutes early in the first half, Weingart turned away two shots in one-on-one situations with Mills’ attackers, both times flying out of goal to deflect hard shots. In the 51st minute, another dangerous moment diving for a loose ball resulted in Weingart taking a kick to the jaw from a Mills’ attacker that would have shook Ronda Rousey.

But she was back on her feet instantly, shouting instructions to teammates as she returned to her post.

“Hopefully [Weingart] can continue to be fantastic [the rest of the season],” said Stotler.

Mills scored finally in the 31st minute, on a beautifully angled shot by junior Chloe Waldron on after yet another breakaway down the wing, that snuck just inside the far post. The Spartans added another in the 54th minute, after a corner kick dribbled free just inside the box and was blasted into the back of the net.

Offensively, the Highlanders showed some signs of life late in the second half. Sophomore Emma Propfe made a great run in the 66th minute, sprinting up the wing to send a sharp cross that was lofted just barely over the crossbar. In the 74th minute, junior Addie Hester managed to shake a defender just outside the box, but was met by Mills’ goalkeeper before she could find her footing for a shot. 

 “We need our offense to create more,” said Stotler. “Get those specific girls involved, Emma Propfe and Addie Hester.”

Northwestern managed two shots in the first half, neither on target, and lost badly in time of possession, though Stotler said he has confidence in his attackers going forward.

The Highlanders lost to Nonnewaug on Tuesday, Sept. 13th to fall to 0-2 for the season. They continue a slate of tough road games with Wamogo on Friday, Sept. 16, followed by a trip to Housatonic on Tuesday, Sept. 20.