Connecticut high school soccer is plowing ahead for the time being, as the CIAC announced plans last week for fall sports in 2020.
Soccer teams will hold their first practices Aug. 27 in cohorts of 15 and then progress towards games that start Sept. 24. They'll play no more than two regionalized games per week through Oct. 30, competing in a maximum of 12 and building towards a to-be-determined tournament format in November. They're expected to follow comprehensive safety guidelines and protocols in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic, and fan attendance is expected to be limited.
Under this adjusted format, CIAC programs face unique challenges that they haven’t encountered in prior seasons. The traditional schedule has been tossed aside, but there’s also an appreciation as high school sports return during a coronavirus-altered world.