In their season opener Sunday afternoon, the New Canaan U9 Crusaders exhibited great passing and teamwork in their game against Fairfield Gold. The Crusaders scored four goals and the Gold scored one goal.
Noah Radecki got the Crusaders on the board early with an assist by Evan Beiles.
In the first half, goalies Owen Zomb and Charles Brossey kept the Gold at bay repeatedly blocking shots on goal. They were helped out with strong defense by James Kontulis, Ryan McLallen, Chris See and Casey Whittaker.
Keeping the ball moving, Strider Bennett, Connor Flanagan, Steve Panzano, Kyle Sneddon, Blake Whittaker and Christian Wolter kept up the offensive pressure. Radecki scored another goal, and the Crusaders were up two goals by the half.
In the second half, goalie Panzano made numerous saves. Blake Whittaker came out strong with an early goal with an assist by Radecki. After a disallowed goal by Beilles, Radecki came back to end the game with a hat trick, assisted by Beilles.
