In their lone matchup this season, West Hartford crosstown rivals Conard and Hall played to a tie in boys soccer Monday night.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Gigi Altieri

Hall and Conard boys soccer faced off Monday night on Conard’s turf field, a game eagerly anticipated by many, and tied 2-2.

The game began at 6 p.m. under a bright full moon, cheered on by a booming student section from each of the schools. It resulted in lots of exciting and competitive commentary from the stands, proving this game to be tense indeed.

Throughout the majority of the first half, Conard maintained steady possession of the ball, but could only get past Hall’s defense once, when sophomore Melu Oteka (#19) scored while Hall’s goalie Raphael Staiger was out of the goal.

Immediately after their first goal, the team ran to the sideline of the field to snap a quick post-goal photo. It marked a humorous and unserious turn in the game play, although it was clear both teams wanted the win just as badly as the other, and were determined to do so.

With around nine minutes left in the first half, Lincoln Bush (#4), a Hall senior, received a yellow card for recklessness. This, in contrast with the joking attitude of before, is where more aggressive and cutthroat behavior began, and would follow throughout the remainder of the game.

The first half ended with a free kick and corner play on the Hall goal, and spectators were holding their breath to see if the ball would go in. It did not, however, and the half ended with Conard up 1-0.

Hall Head Coach Zeke Seguro, watching the ball fly through the air right before Sebastian Acker-Candela kicks it in. Hall vs. Conard boys soccer. Oct. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Gigi Altieri

In an interview, Hall Head Coach Zeke Seguro said that despite going into the second half losing 1-0, “we battled, and we showed that we had some grit to come back from 1-nothing.”

The second half began with two great attempts on Conard’s goal, first by Hall junior Jeremi Palma Mena (#7), and then by senior Grady Doyle (#5).

Not long after, the ball was kicked high into the air as the players ran down towards Conard’s goal, and Sebastian Acker-Candela (#22), a Hall senior, was able to kick it in for Hall’s first goal.

Hall boys soccer huddles during halftime. Hall vs. Conard boys soccer. Oct. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Gigi Altieri

The next goal of the game was scored by Hall again, by senior Ryan Rogorzenski #2), after Conard goalie Henry Eagan (#0) fumbled it and the ball went in.

With less than 10 minutes left in the game, spectators were getting loud, and players were clearly getting frantic, as Hall wanted to hang onto their lead but Conard wanted to try and even it out. The Red Wolves were successful, as Conard senior Cam Robinson was able to score off a free kick.

The players on the field picked up fouls left and right, and Conard sophomore Melu Oteka (#19) received a yellow card for vulgarity.

The game ended tied 2-2, after a play on a throw-in failed to breach Conard’s goal.

This isn’t bad news, however, because both Hall (8-3-5) and Conard (9-3-4) will continue on to the CIAC Class LL state tournament. 

Coach Seguro noted that something the team will continue to work on before the CCC tournament is “to do a better job at closing out the game.” When Hall was up 2-1, we “got a little frantic.”

He ended the interview by saying “I like the direction we’re going in. I think our trajectory is in the right direction, so I’m really excited.”

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