On the afternoon of Halloween, Hall defeated Fairfield Warde at home in West Hartford, 1-0, in the first round of the Class LL tournament.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Savannah Cote

It was win or go home on Halloween night for the Hall boys’ soccer team, and the Titans made sure their season didn’t end just yet. With a 1-0 victory over Fairfield Warde, Hall showed resilience, composure, and the determination that has defined their season.

After a heartbreaking loss in the CCC finals just days earlier, the Titans bounced back when it mattered most, securing their place in the next round of the state tournament, where they will play No. 25 Brien McMahon on Monday at Hall at 2 p.m.

Playoff intensity was apparent from the opening whistle as both teams came to play. The match quickly took on a tactical feel, almost like a chess match across the pitch, with both sides struggling to break down their opponents. The possession battle was even through the first half of the match, each team testing each other’s defenses as neither could capitalize on early chances.

The backbone of the Hall team again turned out to be its defense. Goalie Rodrigo Ballesteros continued his outstanding play in the postseason and made several diving saves to keep Fairfield Warde off the scoreboard. His presence in the net gave the Titans confidence as they weathered many offensive surges and defended several dangerous free kicks.

In support were defenders Benjamin Goldstein and Zachary Debin, who gave great performances in the back line. Goldstein’s excellent field reading to cut off passing lanes into the forwards limited Fairfield Warde’s attacking options, while Debin’s physicality and well-timed tackles curtailed several would-be scoring opportunities. They anchored a defense that never really broke and allowed Hall not to crack even under late pressure.

On the attacking side of the ball, Hall created crucial opportunities through Diego Lemes De Souza and Grady Doyle, both of whom challenged Fairfield Warde’s back line with speed and imagination throughout the contest. Lemes De Souza continually advanced the ball and freed up space for teammates, while Doyle’s touch and distribution helped sustain the rhythm of Hall’s attack. Both were near goals, but the game-winner came about almost unexpectedly.

With just a few minutes left in regulation, a miscommunication in the Fairfield Warde defense made all the difference. In trying to clear the ball from their own box, a Warde defender accidentally deflected it into their own goal. The stunning own goal made it 1-0 for Hall and sent the home crowd into celebration.

From that moment, it was all about composure and defense. Hall locked in for the final minutes, with Ballesteros and the back line ensuring Fairfield Warde never found an equalizer. When the final whistle blew, the Titans had secured their redemption – and their spot in the next round.

For Head Coach Zeke Seguro and the rest of the team, the win reflected the grit and focus that have carried them through this season. Despite setbacks and tough losses throughout, the Titans proved once again they were built for big moments. On a Halloween night full of drama, Hall showed they’re not ready for their season to end – not yet.

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