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GHS Boys Soccer Riding High Midway Through Season at 7-0-1

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Greenwich's Rei Nakayama sheds a Staples defender in Monday's game (John Ferris Robben photo)
Greenwich’s Rei Nakayama sheds a Staples defender in Monday’s game (John Ferris Robben photo)

At the midway point of the regular season, Kurt Putnam and the Greenwich High boys soccer team have yet to taste defeat with an impressive 7-0-1 record.

Perhaps their biggest test came on Monday night when Staples High forced a scoreless draw that stung more on the home Cardinal side. Following the draw, Putnam was able to reflect on a strong and somewhat surprising start to the season.

When asked if he could have predicted a near perfect start to the season, Putnam responded, “Honestly, no. If someone offered me a 7-0-1 record in the beginning of the season, I would have grabbed that and said absolutely.”

During the eight-game span, the Cardinals have outscored opponents 21-6, including pitching shutouts against Darien, New Canaan and Fairfield Warde.

“They’ve come a hell of a long way since the preseason,” said Putnam. “It was the worst preseason I’ve had in 16 years. I would have expected, based on our preseason, maybe a couple of losses in there, but we have played very, very well.”

The visiting Wreckers put up a hard-fought battle and made the Cardinals uncomfortable at times, but goalie Christopher Mackay came up with a pair of clutch saves in the final 15 minutes of play.

“Staples may take it as a half-win as they are the first team to take a point from us,” said Putnam. “They pressed us so far more than anyone else we played.”

Although Monday’s game ended in a tie, it was felt as a loss by some players with the fast start Greenwich has gotten out to this year. Putnam remains realistic of what their ultimate goals are.

“I think the boys are disappointed that they didn’t keep their perfect record, but I think records are just there to get you into the tournament,” said Putnam. 

Greenwich's Sebastian Hernandez fires a shot in Monday's game against Staples (John Ferris Robben Photo)
Greenwich’s Sebastian Hernandez fires a shot in Monday’s game against Staples (John Ferris Robben Photo)

Senior Akira Dunham echoed his coach and said Staples put up a good test against them on their home turf.

“Staples really brought it to us,” said Dunham. “They came in with a gameplan and stuck with it.”

The senior defender hopes to help a special senior class come circle with a conference championship.

“We had high expectations coming in with a lot of seniors on the team,” said Dunham. “I thought we were prepared for a good run this year. Trumbull will be a big game this weekend as well as Danbury. I think they were one of the last teams to beat us at home.”

Heading into the second half of the season, the Cardinals will split eight games on the road and at home, including a potential battle of the unbeatens when Danbury comes to Cardinal Stadium next month. Putnam hopes to see his team keep improving before a playoff push.

“I don’t know if we want to do anything different, but we want to finish off teams quicker,” said Putnam.

Putnam’s last FCIAC crown came in 2013 and he compared that team to the current team halfway done with their season.

“The 2013 team put teams away quicker,” said Putnam. “We don’t put teams away as quick as they should be.”

Greenwich visits Trumbull on Saturday, October 1 followed by an away game against Norwalk on Wednesday, October 5. A showdown and potential FCIAC playoff matchup with Danbury will be played at Cardinal Stadium on Tuesday, October 18.

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