Junior Kelly Karczewski is Darien’s top scorer with four goals, two assists in six games. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)
GIRLS SOCCER
It could have been not just a deflating moment, but a deflating result to puncture the bubble on 2012, even before reaching the halfway mark of the season.
Instead, the Darien girls soccer team only got pumped up, after going down by a goal with 10 seconds to play in the first half, salvaging a 1-1 tie on Kelly Karczewski’s second half maker at home on Thursday.
It’s in our own hands to make those tournaments.
The girls expect to.
— Leigh Parsons
“It was the kind of game we needed against a very good team in New Canaan,” Wave coach Leigh Parsons said
Darien stays out of a deepening pit with the result, stabilizing at 2-3-1 after being shutout 2-0 by Westhill on Monday.
“It was a telltale sign of our girls, to go down behind the eight-ball, and fortunately, they (then) came out and played well,” Parsons said. “That’s the way soccer is. Sometimes you can play well and not end up winning.
“We came out in the second half on all cylinders, playing the right way
“We took it to them and showed what we were all about.”
Karczewski scored 15 minutes into the second half.
A ball was played down the line to Dillon Schoen and she passed to Katie Cronin.
“It was one of those where it looked like the ball was going out for a goal kick,” Parsons said. “But Katie Cronin won it back. And there was very good cross into the box and Kelly got on the end of it with a head.”
Darien had four corners in the second half, six in all.
The Wave fired nine shots, the Rams seven.
“It’s so big in soccer to go down right before halftime,” Parsons said. “But I think (they) felt, they weren’t going to let it happen this time.
“They felt they deserved something out of that game and they went out and earned it.”
Phoebe Taylor made six saves in goal for Darien.
“A very good performance,” Parsons said. “On one, she came out very strong, won the ball in a dangerous area. Two times she made key saves to kind of slow down the play.”
The Rams are 3-2 with the loss.
“A 1-1 tie is a good result, a good confidence booster,” Parsons said. “It would have been a tough loss. We needed to get something out of this week (against) two good teams in New Canaan and Westhill.”
Darien has a chance to make up ground on making states, at Stamford (0-4-1) on Saturday and in hosting Trinity (0-5) on Tuesday.
“No team we’ve played are slouches,” Parsons said. “It’s been a tough start. So hopefully it will be what gets us ready for the end of the season.”
The Wave deserves the chance to take a breath after opening up at Wilton (2-1-1) then facing league-leading Trumbull (5-0) to start the year.
“We’ve had some very competitive games, and if it comes together at the right time, we can be a force. We have the talent, we have the players.”
Karczewski has four goals two assists in six games this season.
“Hat’s off to her,” Parsons said. “I can’t really say how much she has helped the team this year.”
The junior is Darien’s top scorer.
“When we’ve asked her to play up front on her own — up with Dillon (Schoen) — she’s done well,” said Parsons. “She has had a really strong start to the season. It’s really good to see that.”
Plenty of time left. What will the Wave do with it?
“It’s in our own hands to make those tournaments,” Parsons said. “The girls expect to.”
