Tolland Boys Soccer Downs Hartford Public on Senior Day

Friday’s raw, blustery conditions at Tolland High School were more typical of late November.

But with one Class M Championship and four playoff berths, including this year, the seniors on the Tolland boys soccer team are used to playing deep into the cold weather.

The ten member senior class was honored in a brief ceremony following Friday’s 2-1 win over the Owls.

“This is the first group that’s come through all four years with me.” Eagles head coach Jim Leahy said. “We’ve kind of grown up in this program together. It’s nice to say thanks to the parents, because that’s a significant commitment.”

A pair of seniors accounted for a Tolland score in the opening minute of the game, when Colton Bridge lofted a flip throw from the right corner to Geoff Desmarias near the left post of the Hartford Public goal. Desmarias headed it in among a crowd to put the Eagles up 1-0.

Bridge’s unusual throw in technique, in which he starts several feet back before running, planting the ball on the ground, and flipping in the air as he lets go of the ball, comes from his experience as a gymnast when he was younger.

“Geoff Desmarias’ older sister was trying to learn it, and his dad knew I was a gymnast, so he had me try and learn it,” Bridge said. “It developed slowly and sophomore year I got into a rhythm and it became more of a weapon,” he added, saying that was when his throw became more of line drive and stopped shooting straight up in the air.

As for Leahy, he’s never had any doubts with Bridge.

“At the UConn-Marquette game the other night one of the kids did a flip throw and he can’t hold a candle to Colton,” Leahy said. “I’m waiting for a time when the ball slips out and he falls, but he’s a tough athletics kid and he’ll just get up and keep going.”

Tolland made it 2-0 in the 39th minute when Ethan Culver ripped a shot from thirty yards out that squirmed its way past Owls goalie Abner Hernandez. The junior made the initial save, but the ball popped out of his grasp and into the net.

The Eagles seemed to have the game in hand, but Hartford Public refused to go away in the second half, controlling play and peppering shots on senior Erik Venezia, who dove and slid all over the net to keep the Owls at bay.

“When we scored so easily, I think guys thought it was the old Hartford Public,” Leahy said. “They’re much improved from two years ago when they were the doormat of the league. “

Nikeve Delice scored Hartford Public’s lone goal in the 68th minute, roping a kick from the left corner high into the net. The Owls possessed the ball and were able to drive deep into Tolland territory, but Venezia held strong, including denying Venroy Allen from close in moments after Delice’s goal.

“Whenever he’s in net it just builds the whole team’s morale,” Bridge said of Venezia. “We know even if we make a little mistake ninety percent of the time he’ll be there to stop it.”

A pair of yellow cards were handed out to Hartford Public in the final minute, but both sides continued play and Tolland held on.

Bridge, Desmarias, and Venezia were joined  by Josh McVeigh, Ryan Jenkins, Adam Boucher, Ethan Sikoski, Dave Arute, Dylan Roman, and Josh Reed at the end of the game.

While the senior class has enjoyed a good run, they’re not ready for it to end yet. And with the majority of the class being role players on the 2009 championship team, they’re looking to make their own mark.

“The fun part is that we still have time left,” Leahy said. “I hope three more weeks,” he added, referring to reaching the state title game.

Added Bridge, “With how we’ve been shaping up lately, I think we’re going to make a good run in the state tournament.”

Tolland will host Hartford Public again on Tuesday, as the Owls are forced to play on the road due to weather damage to their field.