MANCHESTER - In their first test of the season, the Burr and Burton Academy girls varsity soccer team defeated Woodstock Union High School 2-0.

Burr and Burton dominated the field for much of the game putting 20 shots on net to Woodstock's two.

"It's a good opener," said Burr and Burton Head Coach Dan Deforest "Woodstock's going to come to play, they always do. We had a lot of people contribute, our fresh legs were good and I was pleased with the way we played. I was really pleased with the way we were aggressive going to the ball all over the field and then I thought we started to get some good passes off that."

Burr and Burton struck early in the game when junior midfielder Emma Hallett received a through ball and buried

BBA's Megan Kardas (in white) pushes past an opponent in the Bulldog's opening game against Woodstock on tuesday. BBA prevailed in the opener by a 2-0 margin to get their season off to a successful start. (Gary Baker photo)
it in the right corner of the net.

The well struck ball was one of the rare mistakes Woodstock's senior keeper, Lizzy Miller, would allow as she went on to tally 18 saves out of 20 chances on the day.

Miller's performance earned her kudos from one of Woodstock's head coaches.

"She definitely kept us in the game," said Greg LaBella after the game. "We know she's strong in the air and that was the plan to keep them outside contained, play tough defense and let her catch the balls and then kick them 50 yards."

Burr and Burton's second score came with 8:26 remaining in the first half when senior Cara Corvino fed junior forward Katy Jones who knocked it in for the 2-0 BBA lead at the half.

BBA came out firing in the second

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half. A little more than three minutes into the half, freshman midfielder Kate Cottrell's shot hit off the post. Burr and Burton collected the rebound and fired, but the shot sailed over the crossbar.

After five more saves tallied by Miller, the Wasps pushed the ball down field with a little over 15 minutes left to play in the game and fired on goal, but goalie Joanna Jorgenen - who had two saves on the day - was there to thwart the effort.

Miller's solid performance in gaol kept the Wasps in the game and helped Woodstock put some pressure on BBA late.

"Woodstock did a great job in that their goal keeper has a great punt, a great goal kick, and that's when they had their threats when they used the long ball from her to put pressure on and they pressured the ball well, I thought, all over the field," said DeForest. "They were effective at pressuring our girls and that's the kind of game you like to see because you have to use quick passes. You've got to release the ball early, you've got to get rid of the ball early, and I thought we started to do some more of that."

Miller made three impressive saves late in the game that prevented the Bulldogs from pulling farther ahead, but the Wasps were unable to strike as BBA came away with the victory.

"We were here for a coming of age game. This was a game of development," said LaBella after the game. "They're joining a group of players that have had several years of experience."

"They've been very successful in their pre-high school years, but this is a big step for them," Woodstock's other head coach Bill Langlands added. The BBA varsity girls soccer team will play next at the MAU Tournament at Spinelli Field beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, which continues through Saturday, Sept. 8.