Panther Girls Fall to Granby

The Granby Memorial High girls soccer team earned its second shutout victory in as many games, defeating an overmatched East Windsor High 7-0 in Granby on Friday afternoon.

Michele Guttermuth had a hat trick, Drexel-bound Gabby Dixon scored twice and Sara Eckhardt and Kristen Lombardi each added a goal apiece for the Bears, who jumped out to a 5-0 first-half lead and never looked back.

With the victory, the Bears improved to 2-0 (2-0 NCCC), while having outscored bot their opponents by a combined 10-0.

Granby's first real test of the season will come on Sept. 20, when it faces NCCC rival and last year's Class L runner-up Avon

That game, according to head coach Gerry Trieschmann, should shed some light on whether Granby figures to build on last season's success, which included a trip to the state Class M quarterfinals as a No. 11 seed.

Trieschmann said that he believes its possible, given his players’ collective approach to the game.

“They all have great attitudes,” Trieschmann said. “At practice, they’re looking for more from me. ‘Coach two more, four more.’ In 21 years, I’ve never had that. It’s been a pure pleasure to be on the field with them.”

The East Windsor program, on the other hand, serves as a stark contrast to Granby in terms of talent and expectations.

Indeed, the last time the East Windsor girls soccer team won a game was nearly five years ago, when the Panthers defeated Enfield 1-0 at home on Oct. 30, 2006.

Since then, East Windsor has gone a combined 0-65-2, including two 7-0 losses at the hands of Suffied and Granby to open the 2011 campaign.

But Panthers head coach Bill Arzt said that, despite the tough start, there is reason for optimism this season.

“Our attitude has been awesome,” Arzt said. “I’m really excited [for this year]. I’m expecting to win four to six games this season.”

It’s a bold prediction, but also a realistic one, given the crop of young talent on the Panthers roster.

Leading the way is goalkeeper Demitria Estrada, a senior captain, who made 15 saves against Granby.

“She played phenomenally in the second half,” Arzt said.

In addition, sophomores Nicole Elliott, a center midfielder, and Abigayle Morin, a defender, turned in standout performances for the Panthers and figure to improve as the season progresses.

“[The officials] commented on how well [Elliott played],” said Artz, who added that Morin will one day be East Windsor’s first player to make the all-conference team in many years.

“We haven’t gone backwards in talent,” Arzt said. “My goal now is to change the attitude of these girls. If we get the right attitude, good things are going to happen.”

Granby Memorial 7, East Windsor 0

Granby          5 2 - 7

East Windsor  0 0 - 0

Goals: 1. Granby, Michele Guttermuth (Gabby Dixon), 39:05, 2. Granby, Dixon, 38:00, 3. Granby, Dixon (Audrey Turcotte) 37:24, 4. Granby, Guttermuth, 35:04, 5. Granby, Sara Eckhardt, 16:03, 6. Granby, Guttermuth, 34:50, 7. Granby, Kristen Lombardi, 16:00.

Saves: East Windsor, Demitria Estrada 15, Granby, Ellie McDougall 0