Moore’s goal in OT vaults East Lyme boys into ECC semis

Waterford — At the beginning of the season, East Lyme High School boys’ soccer coach Paul Christensen referred to sophomore Alex Moore as the “little brother” of veterans and goal scorers James Foster and Nick Ghirardi.

Moore, new to the varsity this season after seeing time with the freshman team and the junior varsity a year ago, was a quick study, coming on especially during the last couple of weeks, Christensen said.

On Friday, Moore may have still been the little brother. But he was awfully big.

Moore scored the game-winning “golden” goal with 4 minutes, 57 seconds remaining in overtime as No. 5 East Lyme topped No. 4 Waterford 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament.

“I think they’ve taught me a lot of what I know,” Moore said. “... Today, we came together as a team. Coach talked it over with us (following regulation) and we made some changes. ... Luke (Wojcik) kicked it across the field. I got the ball and saw only one guy. I tried to beat him and take the shot.”

Moore, from the left post, shot across the goal and buried the ball in the right corner.

It was an emotional win for East Lyme (13-4-1), which is the two-time defending ECC tournament champion yet was playing without Ghirardi, who is no longer with the team.

That means that Foster, an All-New England selection last year, is often double-teamed.

And it gives Moore a more significant role. In addition, the game was at Waterford (12-4-1), which earned a higher seed.

“He’s had to step up,” Christensen said of Moore. “I’ve seen a considerable improvement in his play in the last three weeks. He wins a lot of those 50-50 balls.

“... I’m proud of this team. We’ve had to change our lineup over the last week and a half. And with Waterford-East Lyme, it doesn’t matter the records. It wasn’t pretty soccer; we’re just fortunate that in overtime, we got the shot off that won it for us. ... James has four guys around him all the time, but there are some positives from that; that meant space was available for Alex to get a couple opportunities.”

East Lyme will next play top-seeded Bacon Academy in the second game of Monday’s semifinal doubleheader at Montville High School. No. 10 Stonington will take on No. 11 Woodstock Academy in the other semifinal beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Waterford lost to East Lyme 4-1 in the teams’ annual ALS Cup game, Sept. 19. This time, although East Lyme had more opportunities earlier, it was Waterford which pressured the Vikings late.

In the second half, Stephen Lavoie and Dan Castelpoggi both drilled shots over the top of the crossbar and a Waterford corner kick with 21 seconds remaining came up empty.

In overtime, Castelpoggi and Cory Conderino had dangerous shots, as well, before Moore ended it.

Waterford coach Joe Mendonca Jr. said the loss was a disappointment for his team, which still has an opportunity in the state tournament but wanted to make an impact in the ECC tournament, as well.

“I’ve had some good players and some good teams, but the commitment and the heart and the desire of this team is like no other,” Mendonca said. “... We played well. We had some good opportunities on goal, but you go into sudden death ...

“We’ve had some great moments of playing well.”

East Lyme goalie Mike Trailor made six saves and Waterford’s Austin Schwartz made 7. v.fulkerson@theday.com Twitter: @vickieattheday