A Day To Remember For Montville Boys Soccer

Tomorrow officially came for the Montville High boys' soccer team Friday.

The players' immediate reaction was one of frustration when the Indians left the field Nov. 11 after tying Bethel 1-1 for the Class M state championship. Montville owned more scoring chances and scored first in the four-overtime session, feeling much like the better team. The Class M-S state coaches' poll agreed, listing Montville No. 1 in the state.

Goalkeeper Zac Johnson summed the team's feeling best after the game. "We don't feel like celebrating now, but I'm sure tomorrow we'll feel like state champs," he said.

Tomorrow came Friday night. The Indians celebrated the first state title in the program's 35-year history in style Friday with a gala banquet at Mohegan Sun's Grand Ballroom.

The evening featured a dinner, a proclamation by Montville Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz, declaring May 6, 2011 as "Montville Boys' Soccer Day," a speaking program featuring UConn men's soccer coach Ray Reid as keynote speaker, a 12-minute multi-media, slide show on a movie screen size, detailing the season in review, produced by team parent Kyle Leeman, and a raffle of sports memorabilia.

For Montville senior Tyler Leeman, the state player of the year and an All-America striker, the banquet put a perfect wrap on the season and erased any bitter feelings of the longest game (120 minutes) in state history.

"Spending tonight with teammates, coaches, family and friends, one last time, is the perfect way to end the season," Leeman said. "I feel now the disappointing feeling after the tie is gone seeing how nice everything is tonight. It's good to be happy now. To have the banquet in the Mohegan Sun Ballroom is an honor for me... to be allowed in such a beautiful place."

Montville coach Colin Delaney wanted to stage a historic banquet for the historic season. The night was a climax to a special season after what was somewhat of a tepid ending to the title game.

After the tie, Delaney applauded his team's accomplishment, charging through five state games without a loss."The banner is going to say Class M state champions, not co-champions," Delaney said.

MHS athletic director Walt Sherwin and new principal Chad Ellis presented Delaney with the CIAC Class M state title banner replete in Montville's orange colors at the banquet. The banner will be hung on the school's gymnasium walls.

The Indians finished the season with numerous program records, including single-season wins (18-4-1 record) and goals scored. The march to the finals: a 7-0 win over Stratford, 4-0 win over Stonington, 3-2 win over Joel Barlow, 1-0 win over Ellington in the semis, and ultimate title-winning effort in the finals, was the season's signature moment.Kyle Leeman's season-in-review highlight package stirred memories for Delaney.

"There were so many performances by individuals that impacted games that stood out," Delaney said. "If certain people didn't pick up the slack, we don't win those games. If Zach wasn't in the goal against Ellington, we don't win that game - bottom line. Stratford game, Tyler put a bunch of balls in the back of the net. Joel Barlow game, Richard Lusk scores the game-winner. Jeff Tryon playing four positions in the state final. These things don't go unnoticed.

"And the last thing I noticed, my hair is receding way too much," Delaney said, triggering laughter from the crowd of 250.

It's about the only thing Montville soccer lost all season.