1of53Getting their kicks
The New Milford High School boys' soccer side has built a 5-0 ledger through its early-season matches in the South-West Conference. Coach Antony Howard's Green Wave had surrendered just three goals through five matches thanks to the efforts of goalkeeper Adam Llerena and a staunch defensive corps. Above, NMHS' Jack Walsh demonstrates a fair share of agility Saturday, Sept. 20 to gain possession of the ball during a 2-1 triumph over visiting Pomperaug. For the story and more photos, as well as other high school sports coverage, see the Oct. 3 edition of The Spectrum and check updates at www.newmilfordspectrum.com.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less2of53Cooper Knight of the Green Wave delivers a pass during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less
3of534of53Spencer Ranno of the Green Wave kicks it into a higher gear during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less5of53A Panther defender resorts to a bit of clutch and grab to slow the Green Wave's Adrian Lekaj during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less
6of537of53The Green Wave's Gyan Khandhari, right, drills a shot on net during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less8of53
The Green Wave's Spencer Ranno laces a direct kick on net during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.
9of5310of53Gree n Wave mentor Antony Howard takes a momentary break from the action during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less11of53Guilherme Cabral of the Green Wave has eyes only for the ball as a Panther defender does his best to distract him during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less
12of5313of53Jack Walsh of the Green Wave manages to outduel a Panther booter for possession during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less14of53Goalkeeper Adam Llerena of the Green Wave manages to keep his head about him in spite of Panther pressure during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less
15of5316of53The Green Wave's Spencer Ranno shuts off a possible Panther attack during New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less17of53New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less
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51of5352of53New Milford High School boys' soccer's 2-1 victory over Pomperaug, Sept. 20, 2014 at NMHS.Norm CummingsShow MoreShow Less
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It could be premature to label the Green Wave a state title threat. Perhaps not.
The New Milford High School boys' soccer side certainly has established itself in the past three weeks as one of the best teams in Connecticut.
Coach Antony Howard's Green Wave overmatched perennial power Newtown 4-0 Tuesday on the Nighthawks' pitch at Treadwell Park.
Adam Llerena turned aside nine Nighthawk shots to earn the shutout in net and was amply supported by an attack featuring two goals from Adrian Lekaj and single tallies from Spencer Ranno and Jack Walsh.
The victory improved the NMHS booters' ledger to 7-0-1 at midseason.
Such has been the Green Wave's edge on its cumulative foes that it has built a 19-3 goals for/against cushion.
Only Masuk, Pomperaug and Joel Barlow, the latter during a 1-1 draw last Saturday at NMHS, have been able to score against Howard's side.
The first priority for the Green Wave will be to set itself up for the South-West Conference playoffs, which will start in late October.
NMHS boys' soccer has never won a league title, either the current SWC or its predecessor, the Western Connecticut Conference, dating back to the roots of the program in the early 1970s.
And then there would be the state Class LL tournament, for which coach Howard and Co. would surely be primed for a run.
First, however, there remain eight regular-season matches, starting Friday, Oct. 3, with Stratford arriving at NMHS for a 3:45 p.m. match.
