Gilbert girls soccer heads to round two in state tournament


 

WINSTED — The Gilbert girls varsity soccer team had their first-round game of the CIAC Tournament Tuesday, Nov. 4. Gilbert was able to shut out Portland 1-0 at home and advance in the tournament with plenty of momentum from a big first round victory.

Gilbert attacked immediately and posted their first goal while fans were still making their way to the sidelines and the bleachers. Gilbert’s Courtney Cesca scored off an assist from Courtney Hoxie.

Gilbert’s offense looked very strong in the first with every player taking her time with the ball, trying to avoid forcing the play and instead allowing it to unfold and work with it. It was at times stunning to watch the Gilbert girls find each other with an immaculate passing game. Their ability to set up and move in Portland’s end kept the attack strong.

The home team’s defense was impenetrable early in the first period, consistently feeding the ball to the offense, moving up to offer offensive support, and keeping Portland from escaping their own end. When Portland did attempt to work the ball around the defense, Gilbert’s forwards did not hesitate to double back and shut down rushes and offensive drives.

Both the Gilbert offense and defense were able to read the play with enormous accuracy, making it difficult for Portland to mount a consistent attack without losing possession or being halted outright. Gilbert was particularly good at winning the little battles, forcing turnovers, and maintaining possession to keep building offensive pressure.

Gilbert put a lot of shots on net in the first and kept the pressure on, looking for rebounds and deflections to try to add to their lead. Portland’s defense, although battling an unrelenting offense, was able to keep Gilbert from adding to their lead. The first half ended with Gilbert ahead by one and showing no signs of halting their attack.

Portland began to rally in the second half, finally able to generate some good offensive chances of their own, including a shot that rang off Gilbert’s post, but they had difficulty finishing the play. Gilbert became increasingly physical in the middle of the second, which cost them a number of fouls and even a yellow card, but Portland still could not take advantage and bring the game into overtime.

In the game’s final minutes play shifted back and forth and fans wrung their hands as the clock seemed to go on endlessly. Gilbert held onto their very early lead and ran down the clock, shutting out Portland 1-0 and advancing to the second round of the CIAC Tournament.

Despite Gilbert’s Courtney Hoxie’s small stature, she sustains a colossal presence on the field in every game. She has incredible speed that never seems to fade, even in a game’s dying moments. Hoxie appears to be entirely fearless, playing physically, forcing turnovers, and applying unceasing pressure. She is capable of setting up plays and finishing them, and always seems to have the ability to send the crowd into an excited frenzy no matter what side they may be cheering for. Hoxie is remarkably only a freshman, which is no doubt good news for Gilbert fans.

Having said that, the Gilbert team is a real team. They each play remarkably as individuals, and yet have the chemistry to work as a collective locomotive force. Their record this season was good, but it did not completely express the particulars of their ability, or the passionate and supportive coaching staff that keeps them moving forward. They are, simply put, a team that makes the game very exciting to watch. If Gilbert can continue playing through the post-season as they did this past Tuesday, they have a fine chance at a championship.

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