Trojans torch Grayhounds in 2nd half

FAIRFIELD - One week prior to Monday night’s Southeast Conference showdown with Burlington, the Fairfield boys soccer team had hit a low point on the season with its second-straight loss. Flash forward seven days, and the Trojans are back on track.

Fairfield ran away from Burlington 5-1 at Dexter Soccer Complex, and the Trojans have now won their last two by the combined score of 15-1.

“Sometimes things aren’t going to be the best in certain situations, and sometimes they are,” said Trojan leading scorer Xavier Kapijimpanga. “You just have to learn from it.”

Kapijimpanga had a hat trick to lead the Trojans. Two of those goals came in the first half, where he helped will the team to a 2-1 halftime lead.

Coach Felisto Guezimane said he told his team to turn it on at halftime, stating they weren’t playing up to their potential in the first 40 minutes.

“We had a good team talk at the half,” Guezimane said. “I wasn’t happy with the way we played.”

The Trojans responded in a big way once the second half started. They dominated the final 40 minutes, keeping the ball on their scoring end for the vast majority of the half and putting constant pressure on Burlington keeper Cayden Lowyery.

Drake Drish scored the first goal of the second half, beating Lowyery from straight away to give the Trojans some breathing room, at 3-1.

Andrew Twohill scored the fourth Trojan goal with 10 minutes to go in the game. He found some room down the right side and snuck the ball between Lowyery’s legs to put the Trojans up 4-1.

With just 1:30 left in the contest, Kapijimpanga scored his third. He earned a one-on-one with Lowyery and dribbled the ball around him for an easy tap in goal.

“We have a very hard schedule coming up,” Kapijimpanga said. “We’re learning to get our team together mentally and physically and making sure we know how to play our game right.”

The Trojans are now 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC. They will play at Mt. Pleasant on Thursday before turning around to try and avenge losses to Fort Madison and Washington next week.

“We’re a great team,” Kapijimpanga said. “There is no reason for us to lose.”

Thursday’s game in Mt. Pleasant has a start time of 4:30 p.m.