RallyNorth.net

Robinson's neighborhood a happy place

Thursday, November, 01 By Alan Siegel
Staff writer

Bree Robinson didn't expect this. She figured Pinkerton wouldn't be contending for a Class L title this fall. "Truthfully," the senior striker said, "I thought next year was going to be a great year."

Somehow, the eighth-seeded Astros found a way to march through the tourney and into the state final, which will be played Saturday (2:30 p.m.) against No. 2 Exeter.

The University of Hartford-bound recruit, who missed six games this season with a severe ankle sprain, has watched her team persevere through an inconsistent (8-7-1) regular season.

The Astros have marched through the tourney on a mission, outscoring their opponents 8-2 in three games.

"It's amazing," said Robinson, whose club is in the Class L final for the second time in three seasons and the third time in the 28-year history of the tourney. "We're very young and inexperienced. During our season, we lost here and there, but it seemed as if we were progressing each and every game."

Robinson scored a goal | her 13th of the season | in the Astros' 2-1 state semifinal win over Manchester Memorial. "It was a fun thing to watch," Robinson's father Dean said. "It's a great thing."

It was especially rewarding for Robinson, who got antsy on the sideline while nursing her ankle sprain. She returned before the tournament began to provide the spark her team needed.

"I was pretty anxious to get off the bench," said Robinson, who scored a goal in the 2-1 win over No. 1 Manchester Central in the quarterfinals.

The Astros will be counting on her Saturday against the defending Class L champions for sure.

"As a team, we're known as the underdogs," she said. "We just wanted to go out and show everyone we're a better team."