HARTFORD – The Northwest Catholic senior girls soccer players went to their first state championship game as freshmen. Maeve Staunton scored a goal in that game but the Lions lost to Mercy.
Last year, Northwest Catholic was back in the final. But then lost to Lewis Mills.
This year, Northwest Catholic beat Lewis Mills in the Class M semifinal to avenge the state final loss. But then the 12th-seeded Lions ran into a determined Foran team in the Class M state championship game Saturday and were denied a title once again, losing 3-2 at Trinity Health Stadium.
“They’ve been so resilient throughout this season,” Northwest Catholic coach Steve Carnes said. “Losing to Lewis Mills last year then losing to them in the second game of the season then rebounding to beat them twice (in the regular season and the tournament) … I mean, it was incredible for us.
“I think today, soccer is one of those games that it comes down to a couple of decisions, and things didn’t go our way. It’s really unfortunate.”
Staunton, a senior who will play soccer at UConn next year, and senior goalkeeper Abby Casper, who will play basketball at Holy Cross next year, have won three state titles in basketball. But a soccer title has eluded them.
“For (basketball players) Abby, Maeve, Abby’s sister Sam and Lily (Johnson) – I know they wanted nothing more to be a two-sport state champions,” Carnes said. “I think they deserve it, they’ve worked hard for it and they’ve beaten super competitive teams to get here. It’s unfortunate on this day, it doesn’t go our way.”
Foran, the 14th seed, got on the scoreboard first with a Peighton Nash goal 13 minutes into the first half but Staunton tied it at when she took the ball all the way down the field on a breakaway and scored with 14 minutes left in the half.
In the second half, Daniela Boutote scored three minutes in to give Foran (17-6) a 2-1 lead but Northwest (15-6-1) tied it up again on a goal from senior Ashlyn Sklenka with 25 minutes left.
Foran scored the game-winner on a corner kick. There was a shot, Casper made a save and then Maria Azpiri-Sudusky scored on the rebound with 18:47 left.
Northwest had a chance toward the end of the game on a penalty kick by Staunton but the ball hit the left post and bounced away.
“Maeve Staunton is a phenomenal player, she deserves so much more,” Carnes said. “I wish we could have got it for her. That senior class has been in three state finals. And they lost them all.
“I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on them, there’s a lot of pressure to win, a lot of pressure from everybody. It’s hard.”
Morgan wins Class S title: Tenth-seeded Morgan beat No. 9 Old Saybrook 2-0 Saturday morning in the Class S championship game, a year after Morgan lost in the final to Coginchaug on penalty kicks.
Kate Gardner and Mia Zhiminaicela scored for Morgan (15-7). Freshman Cassidy Pluck had both assists.
Old Saybrook (11-5-5) beat Morgan 2-0 during the regular season but Morgan defeated Old Saybrook in the Shoreline tournament quarterfinals.