The East Haven girls’ soccer team hosted West Haven in its season opener on Sept. 9 and took a 3-1 loss under the lights to start the year 0-1.

The Yellowjackets had to replace their entire defense from a year ago when they finished 5-8-3 and Head Coach Ray Curren knows it isn’t going to be an easy transition in the back.

“Basically we had people that were two-year starters back there last year. It’s hard; a couple people were moved back there. Caroline [Wajdowicz], the captain, moved from last year. She played up last year, but that was a hole—she has the skill set to play there, but it’s tough. She’s trying, but it’s just going to take time,” Curren said. “Those six spots in the defensive midfield and the defense we had to replace so it’s going to take time. I don’t know how long it’s going to take, hopefully shorter rather than longer, but who knows.”

As a result of a work in progress defense, junior keeper Caitlin Esposito had to face 15 shots on target in the loss, but she was able to stop 12 of them. A few of the saves came off great, diving efforts, keeping the Yellowjackets within reach for most of the game.

“We were almost too impressed,” Curren said of the play of his goalie. “You don’t want your goalie to have to make that many saves, but we have a lot of confidence in her.”

West Haven got on the board first, 14 minutes into the game. Forward Gabriella Prisco got behind the defense and sent a through pass for a streaking Alexis Severino. Severino buried the ball into the empty net. East Haven kept pace and went into the half trailing 1-0, but West Haven struck first in the second half to take a 2-0 lead. Following a botched corner kick, Marisa Pacapelli connected with Alexia Perez at the far post, who beat a diving Esposito for the goal with just under 18 minutes to play in the game.

About 10 minutes later, East Haven cut the lead in half on a set piece. Megan Kikosicki took a free kick from 30 yards out, and West Haven’s goalie Janiene Tuinman made the initial save, but couldn’t hold onto the ball and Ally Fotheringhame put home the rebound to score East Haven’s first goal of the season. Curren was pleased with the goal because Kikosicki put the ball on target. Earlier in the game, she put a few free kicks over the bar, not allowing her squad the chance to pounce on a loose ball and score.

“It was kind of by design. You have to get it on net first. We were telling Megan that earlier because she missed the net the first few times,” Curren said. “The goal is for Megan to get it in, but you want to get it on frame especially because that might happen. The goalie might have a tough time handling it, especially on a turf field like this and then somebody is there to put it in.”

Perez would score again for West Haven with 3:40 left on the clock to give the Blue Devils a 3-1 lead. Prisco dribbled the ball into the box and her shot was deflected by a sound defensive effort by Chiara Fusco. However, it went to a wide open Perez who buried the shot.

East Haven could only put six shots on goal and Curren knows his squad needs to figure things out offensively.

“I think you saw tonight that teams are just going to key on [Kikosicki] and that’s what we’re going to have to get used to and figure it out,” Curren said. “It’s not like it’s an easy answer and say we didn’t do A, B, or C. We didn’t hold the ball enough to give them chances to get in, and at the same time we need some more people. Tori is a senior on the wing so she’ll be OK, but we have to be able to keep the ball more. It’s disappointing to start the season that way.”