By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – To open the 2022 campaign, the Bristol Eastern boys soccer outfit immediately hit the pay window.

On Thursday night, the Lancers nabbed a huge 2-1 victory against  Lewis Mills from Alumni Field in Bristol in a CCC South entanglement.

It was the opener for both squads.

After falling behind by a goal, the Kingstreeters struck right back as the combination of Tyler Borry and Connor Policarpio notched the go-ahead and game-winning goals to ice the Spartans over second half play.

However, the visiting aggression got on the board first as Ian Nanowski helped Mills tally an early score.

Alex Begert sent a long ball into the Eastern penalty area as players from both teams were in the vicinity to make a move.

Nanowski was the quickest to the ball, gathered it and blasted in a goal just 15 minutes into the first half.

However, the Lancers’ defense did not allow another score and on flip side, Eastern’s offense slowly began to heat up.

Slick crosses by Cody Greger and Rio Fernandez led to over half-a-dozen good scoring chances but Mills’ keeper Cooper Martinotti (four saves) made several big stops to keep the home team scoreless over the first forty minutes.

It was a 1-0 match at the half but Eastern was about to turn the tables on the Spartans.

Perhaps a fiery halftime speech by the Eastern coaching staff helped fuel the Lancers over the final forty.

“At halftime, the coaches challenged the players to win more 1v1 battles and concentrate on their shots,” said Eastern coach Bill Sweet. “Our backs had done a creditable job, but we needed the offense to pick up its pace. Tonight, two captains, Ty Borry and Connor Policarpio led the way.”

The Lancers continued to push the pace in the second half and were rewarded just eight minutes in.

Eastern’s first goal came as Sam LaMar won a ball just over half field and played it to a cutting Eddie Ansah.  

Ansah beat his man and sent a cross to Ty Borry who drilled a shot past Mills’ second goalie Marek Nardi (four saves) as the match was all knotted up at 1-1 with thirty-two minutes remaining.  

Eight minutes later, Policarpio scored the game winner.

Borry found Policarpio on the left side, and he made his move.

Policarpio cut inside his man and planted a ball past the sliding keeper as the go-ahead goal gave the Lancers a 2-1 push and the eventual victory.

Both squads extended great efforts though the game was stopped a few times as coaches tended to players cramping up on the turf over a hot September day.  

“There was no lack of effort by either side right to the end,” said Sweet.  “In the second half, we were able to spread the field and isolate some of our players and on the defensive end we limited Mills’ ability to link passes together.”  

Eastern goalie Peyton Cummings made four saves for the winners while Lewis Mills combined for eight between the two keepers.   

The Lancers outshot Mills by a two-to-one margin (12-6).  

Eastern’s next match is on the road in Berlin this Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Bristol Eastern Boys Soccer

BRISTOL EASTERN 2, LEWIS MILLS 1

from Alumni Field, Bristol

Scoring 1 2 – F

Lewis Mills 1 0 – 1

Bristol Eastern 0 2 – 2

Scoring Summary

First Half

LM – Ian Nanowski (15th minute)

Second Half

LM – Ty Borry (48th minute)

LM – Connor Policarpio (56th minute)

Saves

Lewis Mills: Cooper Martinotti and Marek Nardi (four saves each); Bristol Eastern – Peyton Cummings (four saves)

Records: Bristol Eastern 1-0 overall; Lewis Mills 0-1.

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