2021 GIRLS SOCCER PREVIEW PACKAGE
CIAC PLAYERS TO WATCH
Erynn Floyd, Wilton, Sr., GK: Being one of just four starters returning, the Louisville-bound Floyd will get plenty of chances to try and keep the FCIAC’s elite scorers off the scoreboard.
Gabriela Gonzalez, Staples, Sr., D: Elite FCIAC defender heading to Cornell next fall.
Chloe Humphrey, Darien, Jr., F: Will garner plenty of attention from opposing defenses this season.
Charlotte Kemp, Ridgefield, Jr., D: Helped the Tigers pitch seven shutouts last season.
Samantha Kipperman, Pomperaug, Sr., M: Hoping to help lead the Panthers to the SWC championship after last season’s tournament run was derailed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Ava King, Sacred Heart Academy, Sr., GK/D: Ava will split time with her identical twin sister at both goalkeeper and center back before she heads off to play at Stony Brook next fall.
Kyla King:, Sacred Heart Academy, Sr., GK/D: Also considered Stony Brook before committing to play at Fordham.
Sophia Lowenberg, Trumbull, Sr., F: One of the FCIAC’s top offensive threats will play at Boston College next fall.
Mary Lundegran, St. Joseph, Sr., M: Dartmouth-bound standout could put up some numbers that rival the two previous GameTimeCT State Players of the Year recipients from St. Joseph: Jess Mazo (UConn) and Maddie Fried (Villanova).
Dillyn Patten, New Canaan, Sr., F: Lethal scoring threat comes back for another season with the Rams.
Zoey Wood, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Sr., D: Garnering Division I interest, Wood has plenty of athleticism to keep some of the SWC’s best forwards in check.
A COMPLETE SEASON ON TAP
Just to have gotten any kind of season in last fall should be considered a positive. The six-week campaign began Oct. 1 and ended in mid-November. Those postseason experiences will be replaced by full league and state championships in November. The state championship finals are scheduled to be held Nov. 20.
RIVALRIES RENEWED
Due to teams having to remain in cohort groups even in the postseason experiences, a number of rival games were not able to be held in the sport last fall, most notably, Glastonbury vs. Southington out of the CCC and the 2019 CIAC Class LL state championship game, won by Glastonbury. Also of note: St. Joseph vs. Ridgefield or Staples out of the FCIAC, Immaculate vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield out of the SWC and Guilford vs. Cheshire in the SCC. These four, and many others, will get a chance to renew acquaintances this season.
WHICH CONFERENCE IS THE BEST?
At least we should be able to answer that question this season. The road normally runs through the FCIAC, but a pair of CCC teams, Southington and Glastonbury — defeated Ridgefield and Staples, respectively, in the semifinals by an identical 1-0 score. So it’s the CCC right now with Glastonbury and Southington at the top. The FCIAC still may have more depth with St. Joseph, Ridgefield, Staples, Trumbull, Darien and New Canaan. Check back in midNovember.
FIVE CIAC GAMES TO WATCH
Staples at Ridgefield, Sept. 9, 4 p.m.: The two FCIAC rivals have tied each of the last four regularseason matchups, including three of them being scoreless. Then there is the backto-back Class LL state championship games, both won by Ridgefield. Now the two squads open the regular season in an odd bit of scheduling.
Glastonbury at Shelton, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.: Recently, it’s been Masuk that Shelton has played in its season opener. Now, it’s Glastonbury in a rare nonconference game for a CCC team. Very good earlyseason barometer for both sides.
Hand at Guilford (Bittner Park), Sept. 14, 6 p.m.: Teams played three times last fall, both teams winning on its home turf by 1-0 counts, the third a 2-2 tie. Border rivalry rematch is Oct. 7 at the Surf Club.
Glastonbury at Southington, Sept. 25, 1 p.m.: The CCC’s best two teams get to square off twice after a year off from getting the chance to do so. Rematch is also on a Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30.
Ridgefield at St. Joseph, Oct. 18, 4 p.m.: St. Joseph faces Trumbull, Staples and Ridgefield in less than a week. The regular-season championship could get decided in this stretch of games.