Avon Falls to New Fairfield

New Fairfield opened the state playoffs with a strong performance against the visiting Avon Falcons. On senior night 4th year goalie Nick Costabile turned in another gem with his older brother and Duke National Championship hero C.J. in attendance.

New Fairfield got off to a slow start, scoring only once in the first ten minutes of the game and holding a slim 1-0 lead. Longpole Jesse Broderick finally sparked the Rebels attack when he scored with two minutes remaining in the first period. Over the next fourteen minutes New Fairfieled would score six more times, including a Ryan Mallon goal with 20 seconds left, to go into halftime with a commanding 8-0 lead.

Mallon picked up right where he left off, scoring the first goal of the second half to extend the lead to 9-0. For the first time all day Avon responded and scored a goal of their own, it would prove to be the lone blemish of Costabile's stellar performance. The unfazed Rebels continued their methodical dismantling of their opponents, scoring three more goals to go into the fourth quarter with an insurmountable 12-1 lead. With the game in hand coach Marty Morgan began pulling starters in the final period, starting with the goalie. Replacement Matt Reynolds, also a senior, allowed two quick goals before settling down and keeping the Falcons off the board for the rest of the game. New Fairfield scored the final two goals of the game to extend the lead to the final score of 14-3.

Next up for the Rebels is Conard of West Hartford, a team which is a notch above the Falcons of Avon and will surely put up more of a fight. The game is Tuesday, June 8th at 7pm and will be played at Fairfield-Ludlowe.