Naugatuck boys soccer cemented its dominance in the New England Small Schools Athletic Conference on Tuesday night, claiming a third consecutive NVL championship at Ray Snyder Sr. Field in Waterbury. The Greyhounds (15-1-3) edged out a resilient Watertown squad (12-6-1) in a penalty kick shootout, converting three of their attempts while the Warriors managed only one. The decisive moment came when Naugatuck’s Deric Eshaghi buried his spot kick, triggering an eruption of celebration for the champions and leaving Watertown players in tears after a match that swung wildly between the two teams.
Greyhounds survive a dramatic rollercoaster to secure historic three-peat in penalty shootout
The 90-minute regulation period delivered a tense, back-and-forth affair that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Watertown struck first just four minutes into the game, with Elvin Mani finding the back of the net to give the Warriors an early lead. Naugatuck responded steadily, with Jayden Dechane redirecting a Julian Visciano corner kick to equalize late in the first half. The Greyhounds then took the lead with 22 minutes remaining in the first half, as Cristian Paniagua finished off a brilliant feed from tournament Most Outstanding Player Antonio Guerreiro. However, Watertown refused to fold, with Mani scoring his second goal of the match in the final minutes of regulation to force the contest into extra time and, ultimately, a shootout.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Naugatuck program, extending their winning streak to three straight titles and highlighting the depth and tactical discipline of the Greyhounds. The performance underscores the team’s ability to remain composed under high-pressure scenarios, a trait that proved decisive when the game was decided by individual skill from the penalty spot. For Watertown, the loss ends a strong season that saw them push the champion to the limit, but the result solidifies Naugatuck’s status as the premier force in the conference. The Greyhounds now look to carry this momentum into the postseason, armed with the confidence of a team that has proven it can win when it matters most.
Source: Yahoo Sports
