WEST HARTFORD, CT— Fans at Conard High School were treated to a non-stop offensive showcase as Conard and visiting Wethersfield fought to a dramatic 3–3 draw, sealed by late-game penalty heroics.

The match proved to be a relentless back-and-forth affair, highlighting high-stakes drama down to the final minute as the Red Wolves clawed back from multiple deficits.

Wethersfield Capitalizes Early

Wethersfield set the tempo in the opening minutes, striking first through Damian Sardo, who went one-on-one in the box and beat Conard goalkeeper Henry Eagan to the near side under seven minutes in.

The Eagles pressed their attack using long balls to stretch the defense, doubling their lead off a corner kick when Sardo's delivery was controlled and one-timed into the net by Andrew Bielawiec.

Conard answered back before the break. With under 11 minutes remaining in the opening half, Cam Robinson's free kick was cleared right to Mark Ribeiro, who knocked it home to send the Red Wolves into halftime trailing 2–1.

High-Stakes Second Half and Late Penalty Drama

Conard came out with renewed energy in the second half, spreading play across both wings and generating quality chances. With under 17 minutes to play, Ray Hilario took the ball on the wing, turned his defender, and sent a cross into the box that deflected off a Wethersfield player and past goalkeeper Tony Pantaleo to tie the match at 2–2.

Wethersfield reclaimed the lead six minutes later. Following a foul just outside the 18-yard box, Sardo delivered a set piece that Julian Grzybacz went high to head into the back of the net, putting the visitors up 3–2.

Complete Photo Album

 

With the clock ticking down, Conard mounted a final siege. With just 1:30 left in the match, Arinze Oteka beat a double team out of the corner before being taken down inside the box, drawing the whistle. Step up Ray Hilario. The senior striker stepped to the spot and fired a hard shot past Pantaleo—who got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out—securing his second-half brace and a hard-fought 3–3 draw.

Scoring Breakdown

  • 1H (< 7') – Wethersfield: Damian Sardo

  • 1H – Wethersfield: Andrew Bielawiec

  • 1H (~11' left) – Conard: Mark Ribeiro

  • 2H (~17' left) – Conard: Ray Hilario

  • 2H – Wethersfield: Julian Grzybacz

  • 2H (1:30 left) – Conard: Ray Hilario (Penalty Kick)

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