Hall Outlasts Conard in Regular Season Finale - We-Ha

Hall boys soccer sweeps the season series against Conard with a road win in the crosstown rivalry and both teams will prepare to host first-round games in the CIAC Class LL tournament.

Hall celebrates after Evan Jones (no. 9, at left) scored the lone goal of the game in the first half. Conard vs. Hall boys soccer. Oct. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Marlon Pitter. Photos by Ronni Newton

In the regular season finale for both teams, Hall boys soccer defeated Conard 1-0 in a tightly contested matchup at Robert J. McKee Stadium in West Hartford on Monday night.

Evan Jones scored the lone goal from 10 yards out, sending the ball inside the left post with 23:29 to play in the first half, as the Warriors edged their crosstown rivals for the second time this season.

“We put our chances away,” said Hall head coach Zeke Seguro. “I thought we were composed. We never really got too high or too low. We were in the moment, and I think we played an 80-minute game.”

Hall’s offensive pressure kept Conard on its heels for most of the night. The Warriors tallied a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Chieftains failed to get many shots on goal, even as they created opportunities for themselves in the second half.

“We had some flaws in terms of our abilities to execute in the final third,” Conard head coach Adam Linker said. “You can’t get those chances to finish if the ball’s not technically, properly put where it needs to be.”

Conard’s best chance to tie the game came late in the second half, as Shane Carr missed John Scrimgeour in the box with 5:30 remaining. Jones ripped a shot off the crossbar minutes earlier that would have doubled the Warriors’ lead.

Hall finishes the regular season with a 14-1-1 record and moves from third to second in the CIAC Class LL rankings. Conard drops to 11-5-0, falling from 11th to 14th. Both teams will host a first-round playoff game on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and both coaches are optimistic heading into the playoffs.

“In Class LL, I don’t think there’s a clear favorite. It’s come, get the job done and move on,” Seguro said. “We just want to win the next one … and that’s what it comes down to.”

“Why don’t we have a chance?” asked Linker. “I’m here, and I believe wholeheartedly in my team. That’s the team I’ve done battle with the entire year. Put me in the field, put me in the tournament and give me a chance. That’s what all of us are asking for.”

Hall and Conard’s first-round opponents and game times will be announced when the Class LL tournament pairings are released on Friday.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!