Scoring woes continue as Wilton girls soccer falls to Ludlowe

After producing four goals in a season-opening win, the Wilton High girls soccer team’s offense has gone cold. On Saturday at Kristine Lilly Field, the host Warriors were shut out, 1-0, by Fairfield Ludlowe. It was the fourth straight defeat for Wilton, which has scored just one goal during its losing streak. "We should have put them away and won today,” said senior co-captain Jillian Lauricella after Saturday's game. "We need to be more attack-minded and, hopefully, that will make something happen. "We had a tough opening part of our schedule," added Lauricella. "The team is staying positive and focused and we’re looking ahead for the rest of the season.” The teams played to a scoreless first half, with Wilton winning ball possession. Both teams pushed the ball up and down the field, and the game had a fluid rhythm. Early in the contest, Wilton had several chances to go in front but could not put the ball in the net. In the third minute, senior Karen Brosko had an open look at the goal but her shot was off the mark. In the ninth minute, Brosko lofted a high pass to Paisley Eagan, who shot wide. And two minutes later, Eagan returned the favor and fed Brosko, but once again there was no finish. Ludlowe (1-3-1) attempted four corner kicks in the first half and couldn’t capitalize on any of them. The Falcons' best chance to score in the first half came in the 35th minute. The ball was played from the wing to the far post, and a Ludlowe player blasted a shot on net. Wilton goalie Hana Previte had followed the flight of the ball and was in perfect position for the save. The second half started with the Warriors taking the kick-off right down the field. Andrea Benalcazar played the ball to freshman Alexandra Brichkowski, whose shot didn't find the mark. No yellow cards were issued, but the game was filled with questionable fouls and players consistently picking themselves off the turf. Fittingly, the lone goal came as the result of a foul. Ludlowe was given a direct kick just outside the box to the right of the Wilton goal. A Ludlowe player lofted the ball over the Wilton wall and into the far corner of the net for the 1-0 lead. Wilton increased its intensity after the Ludlowe score but showed a lack of patience, lofting long balls instead of systematically working the ball up the field. And several of the Warriors' shots on goal didn’t have any zip on them, helping the visitors hold on for the triumph. Lauricella, who plays on the Wilton back line, said that not much has changed in the team's approach to defense with a new head coach, Freya Coombe, at the helm. “We play three on the back line like we did last year," said Lauricella. "The midfield and forward set-up are different, but we also have new players in those positions so I don’t feel that [the new formation] is affecting our play."

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