The Trumbull High girls' soccer team got two goals within the game's first 20 minutes on Thursday night, then the Eagles relied on their defense to stop a surging Danbury team, 2-1, in an FCIAC contest played at wind-swept McDougall Stadium.
"We were able to use the wind well in the first half, but then we needed great defensive efforts from Eva (Solano) and Kristen (Pagliaro) throughout the second half, because Danbury really came at us," Trumbull coach Daniel Uhrlass said.
Senior co-captain Rebecca Crosley scored from in close, after taking a lead pass from Meghan Ahearn less than three minutes in (at 37:53).
Ahearn added the second goal, at 22:11, on an assist from Meghan Lesko, as Trumbull had the wind at its back throughout the first half.
Trumbull took a 5-2 shot advantage into the second half before the Hatters, using the wind to their favor, came back.
Cristina Britton's goal at the 20:40 mark made it a 2-1 game. Britton broke through Trumbull's defense, and after taking a cross from Sara DaSilva, beat freshman goalkeeper Avery Rice with a low shot to the left.
A little over two minutes prior to the goal, Rice stopped DaSilva's breakaway attempt.
Danbury also had two corner kicks late in the game and wasn't able to capitalize on either opportunity.
The Hatters outshot Trumbull, 9-1, in the second half and 11-6 for the game.
Rice had three second-half saves and five overall.
Rice became Trumbull's starting varsity keeper after Maryna Barone suffered a concussion.
"She's (Rice) has had to grow up fast,"Uhrlass said.
The win brought Trumbull's record to 2-4-2 at the season's midpoint.
Danbury is now 2-3-3.