KIPP squads split doubleheader

LYNN – The KIPP Academy boys and girls soccer teams took to Manning Field on Wednesday evening for their respective home openers, which featured split decisions.After winning just once in 2013, the Panthers? boys squad didn?t wait very long to match its output this season, needing just two games to taste victory, over CCSU, 2-1.?I took over this year with high expectations for a team that under-performed last season,” explained first-year boys coach Gray Visco. “It?s nice to get that first win off our backs after just two games. I?m very pleased with the way we?ve played thus far.”Despite a thoroughly dominant effort in the opening 35 minutes, the hosts started the second half tied at 1-1 before nearly taking the lead two minutes into the action on a laser from senior co-captain Jesse Giron that rang off the crossbar.At the 13:03 mark, senior midfielder Charlie Huffman broke in alone off a perfect feed from Giron before an incredible save left the score deadlocked.KIPP would keep up the pressure until it finally paid off with 13 minutes remaining.Following a restart along the right sideline, the ball found its way to junior co-captain Diego Martinez, who settled it before finding the bottom left corner for the game-winner.?It was tough to give them that goal right before the half, but based on what I had seen, I was confident in our chances at keeping up the pressure,” reflected Visco. “We knew our chances would come and our confidence never wavered.”Two CCSU attempts at the equalizer came up just short, the first at 5:46 when sophomore goaltender Jordanny Delgado made a save through heavy traffic following a corner kick.With 1:00 remaining, a Cougar shot reached the goal line, where it was cleared away by junior defenseman Carlos Estrada, much to the frustration of the visitors? bench. Huffman broke the ice at the 19:40 mark of the first half when he ripped a shot to the top right corner, atoning for a blown chance just moments before.With the half drawing to a close, CCSU?s Amir Aitnouri snuck a shot just inside the right post.In girls action, KIPP seemingly had a draw locked up before Salem Academy pulled out a last-minute victory while handing the Panthers their second loss of the season, 1-0.Following a corner kick from Salem?s Hannah Magee at the 1:28 mark, the loose ball found Katelyn Clark, who fired home the game?s lone tally.Despite the outcome, Panthers sophomore goaltender Norah Almomani proved the story of the game with a brilliant 14-save performance that left both coaches gushing.?Last season was her first year in soccer and she did extremely well,” explained KIPP?s Leanne DeRosa. “She?s off to another great start this season and hopefully our offense will be able to help her out a bit the rest of the way.”Navigators coach Annie Brobst echoed the praise.?For her to shut us down the way she did after that many chances was amazing,” she said. “She was super strong and helped make this an exciting, hard-fought game.”Of the Panthers? six chances, senior Alex Huffman (5 shots) came closest to finding the back of the net with consecutive bids early into the first half, both missing just wide.