West Hartford’s Hall High School boys soccer team reached the finals of the CCC Tournament, losing Tuesday night to Tolland in penalty kicks.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Savannah Cote

It was a game that showcased grit, skill, and heart from start to finish. The Hall Titans boys soccer team went toe-to-toe with one of the top programs in the Central Connecticut Conference, the Tolland Eagles, in a high-intensity battle that couldn’t be decided in regulation.

After a hard-fought 80 minutes, the match came down to penalty kicks – and unfortunately for Hall, Tolland, the defending Class M champion, came out on top in a 4–2 shootout victory.

Goalkeeper Rodrigo Ballesteros was the anchor for Hall throughout the night. He made several critical saves to keep the Titans in contention, including multiple diving stops that energized both his teammates and the crowd. Ballesteros’ composure under pressure was a defining factor in Hall’s ability to stay even with Tolland through regulation. Despite his outstanding effort, the penalty shootout proved to be a matter of luck rather than skill, as Tolland narrowly edged ahead.

“When you go to penalty kicks, it’s luck, not skill,” Hall head coach Zeke Seguro said following the loss. “We won the other night; today we didn’t.” Seguro’s comments reflected both the unpredictability and heartbreak that come with games decided by penalties, especially after such a balanced match. Hall had reached the finals after defeating top seed Farmington in PKs in the semifinals on Saturday.

Defensively, the Titans played one of their most disciplined games of the season. Benjamin Goldstein stood out with multiple key defensive breakups, constantly disrupting Tolland’s offensive rhythm.

Christian Almeida and Zachery Debin also made their presence known, forming a strong defensive core that refused to back down against Tolland’s aggressive attack. Their consistent communication and physicality helped keep the game scoreless for long stretches and highlighted Hall’s defensive chemistry and endurance.

Both defenses were exceptional, turning the match into a tactical chess game rather than a shootout. The midfield was a battleground, with both sides fighting for every inch of possession. Hall’s organization and teamwork were evident, even as they competed short-handed.

Coach Seguro acknowledged that the team’s depth and resilience were tested, but also praised their response. “We’re missing two of our starters,” he said. “If we can get them healthy, I think we’ll be better off.”

Despite being undermanned, tying the No. 2 seed in the CCC in regulation speaks volumes about Hall’s potential heading into the postseason.

The Titans, currently ranked No. 9 in Class LL, will now shift their focus to the state tournament. With strong defensive play and a determined roster, Hall looks poised to make a competitive playoff run.

They’ll open their state tournament campaign Friday at 2 p.m. at home against Fairfield Warde (No. 24) in the first round of the Class LL playoffs. Should they advance, they will face the winner of Stamford (No. 8) and Brien McMahon (No. 25).

While the loss was disappointing, Hall’s performance against a top-seeded opponent underscored the team’s toughness and potential. With the postseason ahead, the Titans have proven they can compete with anyone – and they’ll be eager to show it again when the next whistle blows.

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