Darien Boys Soccer Threatens But Settles for 0-0 Tie

The Darien and Wilton boys soccer teams battled for 80 minutes Monday on a raw, windy day, but when the final horn sounded, neither team had notched a goal.

While both squads had good opportunities, Darien (1-3-3) had the edge in quality shots.

Darien coach Nicolae Piperea called Monday's contest a possible turning point game for his team, which has a win and tie in its last two games after collecting three straight losses early on.

"Today's game could determine which way we'll go the rest of the season," he said.

Warriors (2-2-3) coach Jim Lewicki was unhappy with his team's performance.

"We were helter skelter, especially in the second half when we had no flow and no continuity," he said.

Darien sophomore Brennan Branca was involved in three of the Wave's scoring chances, including a free kick when the ball slid off his foot.

On the second, he took a nice cross from Matthew Collier with just 40 seconds remaining in the first half, he but just missed near the left upright. Then, on his final scoring chance, his misfired.

"I had some room, but I didn't make solid contact," Branca said. "It was just one of those days."

The main reason the game ended in a tie was the play of Wilton goalkeeer Mike DeSantis, who was quick, sure-handed, and displayed a healthy vertical leap.

DeSantis credited the Wave with putting a lot of pressure on the Warriors' defense. After grabbing every ball near the net that was in the air, DeSantis saved the day for Wilton with a diving save on a low-flying bullet off the foot of Branca.

Darien's Graham Hotchkiss wasn't as busy as DeSantis but ably handled everything that came his way.

Lewicki said he thought his team lacked flow and continuity in the second half despite having some good chances of its own.

"Darien's back line did an excellent job," he said. "Darien also handled the wind better than we did."

The Wave is back in action Wednesday at Greenwich (4 p.m.).