By Connor Fortier @Connor_Fortier HAMDEN—The more the merrier for the Hamden High School boys soccer team. Seven players personified the cliche as the Green Dragons defeated Career Magnet, 8-2, Wednesday at Hamden High. “We have a very diverse group of boys that have a lot of attributes at different positions and I think today really panned out,” Hamden coach D.J. Pereira said. After a dominant start by the Panthers (4-9-2), the Green Dragons (7-4-3) were able to calm things down and earn a free kick right after midfield. Senior captain Walter Fontes put a free kick in right at the penalty marker, where junior defender Andrew Kirschenbaum powered it past the Panthers’ goalkeeper. The Green Dragons never looked back, scoring four unanswered goals.
Tamir March used his 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame to head a Fontes free kick past the goalkeeper. Fontes got a goal of his own on the next play. March and Fontes don’t usually play on the offensive together, but it was clear that the two have an unspoken chemistry. “I have known (March) since we’ve been in elementary school and he’s been my best friend ever since then so it was pretty awesome to play with him,” Fontes said. “I’ve been begging coach to put me up there all season… it was hard at first but I got used to it.” Pereira noticed the play of the pairing, but pulled March shortly after the second goal. “The two of them together are a dynamic duo, but obviously I need them rested for the games on Friday and Monday, which are important conference games,” he said. Fontes was the player from the Hamden side who scored more than once. He also added two assists. “ (Fontes) is one of our more versatile players… so, I put him up top today to put more pressure on them,” Pereira said. Despite the strong game Pereira looks to challenge his captain “He’s hitting the ground running the past couple of games and hopefully with in the next two games he continues to improve and be get even better.” Fontes, though, is quick to share his success with his teammates. “It’s good to score and get assists, but it was a good team win. Everyone got the chance to play and it feels good to get the younger guys involved,” he said. Having seven different players on the score sheet means more to Pereira than just another win. “Its definitely a plus, especially in games like today where I can rest some of the guys but still score a lot of goals,” he said. Pereira still sees room to improve his team, though. “We let up two goals today, so I still think we have to work on that [defense].” The Green Dragons are in third place in the Southern Connecticut Quinnipiac Conference. They look to improve on their 2-2-2 conference record with a matchup against conference leader Fairfield Prep Friday at home.
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