Bulldogs soccer season ends with playoff loss
EASTFORD — The Eastford Bulldogs’ 2024 soccer season — much like a game — was a tale of two halves.
The Bulldogs started the season on Sept. 17 like they had something to prove, scoring eight goals in an 8-1 win over Parish Hill in Chaplin. Forward Wes DePercio scored four goals (the first of what would become a 20-goal season), while Charlie Ellsworth netted three of his own to lead the Bulldogs. This was followed by another dominating win over Ashford on Thursday, Sept. 19, in which DePercio scored another hat trick. A much closer 3-2 win over Canterbury at home saw DePercio score another hat trick in a comeback victory, which gave him 10 goals in his first three games.
The hot start continued on Oct. 1, in a 1-0, extra time nailbiter win at Thompson, in which DePercio continued his hot streak, scoring the game’s only goal in the extra time period to put the Bulldogs on top, and leading Eastford to a perfect 4-0 start to begin the season.
The Bulldogs’ first defeat would come at the hands of powerhouse Pomfret (the eventual division champions), who defeated Eastford 7-1 in an overwhelming display of offense that would become their signature of their undefeated championship season.
The Bulldogs would eventually run off three consecutive wins — a 4-1 win over Wheeler at home, a 3-2 extra time victory over Parish Hill at home, and a 4-1 win over Ashford on the road, to run their record to an impressive 7-1.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, wins would be a rarity for the rest of the season. Back-to-back shutouts to Canterbury (Oct. 17) and Thompson (Oct. 24) would send the Bulldogs reeling, leading to another blowout loss at Pomfret on Oct. 29. Despite losing three of four games, Eastford would go on to clinch the second seed in the playoffs, behind #1 Pomfret, and ahead of #3 Canterbury and #4 Thompson.
A 2-1 victory over Wheeler in the final regular season game sent the Bulldogs into the playoffs with a bit of momentum — but it was not enough, as Canterbury took Eastford to extra time, and eventually defeated the Bulldogs in penalty kicks to end Eastford’s season in heartbreaking fashion.
Despite the tough loss, the Bulldogs lived up to their name, showing resilience and tenacity on the field. After the season, the team gathered one last time at an after-school pizza party on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Communicator Managing Editor Adam Minor, who covered the team all season, surprised the players at the party with the inaugural end-of-season Communicator Awards, which honored the team’s top performers in several categories, the winners of which were decided by both Minor and Coach Jennifer Barlow. After the Communicator Awards were given out, Barlow surprised her team with her own set of awards. A complete list of the awards given can be seen below.
Congratulations once again to the Bulldogs for a great season!
Bulldogs Season Scoring Totals:
Wes DePercio: 20
Charlie Ellsworth: 6
Aiden Mitchell: 4
Blake Gilbert: 2
Callum St. John: 1
Cam Bibeault: 1
Total Goals Scored: 34
The Season at a Glance:
Tuesday, Sept. 17, @ Parish Hill — W, 8-1
Thursday, Sept. 19, vs. Ashford — W, 5-0
Tuesday, Sept. 24, vs. Canterbury — W, 3-2
Tuesday, Oct. 1, @ Thompson — W, 1-0 (OT)
Thursday, Oct. 3, vs. Pomfret — L, 1-7
Tuesday, Oct. 8, vs. Wheeler — W, 4-1
Thursday, Oct. 10, vs. Parish Hill — W, 3-2 (OT)
Wednesday, Oct. 16, @ Ashford — W, 4-1
Thursday, Oct. 17, @ Canterbury — L, 0-2
Thursday, Oct. 24, vs. Thompson — L, 0-3
Tuesday, Oct. 29, @ Pomfret — L, 2-8
Thursday, Oct. 31, @ Wheeler — W, 2-1 (OT)
Monday, Nov. 4 (Playoff Semifinal), vs. Canterbury — L, 1-2 (OT, 2-3 PK)
Communicator End-of-Season Awards
MVP Award: Awarded to the most valuable player, the player that exhibited the best overall performance throughout the regular season and playoffs.
Winner: Wes DePercio
Offensive Player of the Year: Awarded to the player who scored the most goals on the team during the regular season and playoffs combined.
Winner: Wes DePercio (20 goals scored)
Defensive Player of the Year: Awarded to the player who best defended against opposing goal scoring threats.
Winner: Cam Bibeault
The Leadership Award: Awarded to the player who displayed the most leadership qualities on the field during the season.
Winner: Leah Talaga
The Facilitator Award: Awarded to the player who best exemplified unselfish play to set their teammates up for success.
Winner: Callum St. John (not pictured)
The Sportsmanship Award: Awarded to the player who best displayed a spirit of sportsmanship and character on the field.
Winner: Aaron Minor
The Coach’s Award: Awarded to the player who best exemplified a teachable attitude and coachability.
Winner: Blake Gilbert
The 110% Award: Awarded to the player who most consistently put forward their best effort on the field.
Winner: Abby Haynes
Most Improved Player: Awarded to the player who displayed the most growth throughout the season.
Winner: Walker Whipple