Huskies prevail over Cougars, win Shoreline title outright this time

CLINTON — The current senior boys soccer players at Morgan know plenty about what it takes to reach the Shoreline Conference tournament final.

The Huskies have done nothing less than reach that title game for four straight years. But their best result the first three trips was a co-championship with Haddam-Killingworth last season.

“Last year, we almost feel like we didn’t earn it,” senior Carter Skidmore said. “I hated having the idea of knowing someone else won too.”

Morgan desperately wanted a different result on Saturday at the Indian River Complex than the previous three at Portland High. Standing in the way was Haddam-Killingworth again.

This time, the Huskies got that desired result. David Saturno scored twice as the top-seeded Huskies beat No. 3 Haddam-Killingworth 3-0.

“Every single year we make it to the finals, we have a target on our back,” Skidmore said. “It got harder every year. We’ve just grown with each experience, from losing those first two years to tying last year, I think it’s just right we won this year.”

Said Morgan coach Ross DeMay: “We felt like it was stolen from us last year (Morgan’s first goal was waved off due to an offsides call). We had to score two to get one (last year).”

The Cougars (11-6-2) trailed just 1-0 at halftime and for more than half of the second half.

“For us, this was a great accomplishment getting here,” H-K coach Denis Recchia said. “We talked about it all year that if we got here, we did a lot of things right. That’s a great team. Take your hat off, they beat us.”

DeMay noted the play of one of the seniors, Jack O’Sullivan, who he said rolled his ankle during Friday’s practice.

“He needs some rest now. That’s well earned. He did a great job in the back (on defense),” DeMay said.

The Huskies (14-2-2) had the better of the play, creating plenty more chances than did the Cougars (Morgan had 19 shots to H-K’s 5). With Juan Avila and his 33 goals having graduated from the season before, the question was where would the offense come from.

Granted, it’s a little more spread out this season, but Saturno coming over from his club team to join the Huskies provided a huge boost.

“Right now, David is at 19 (goals) and 19 (assists),” DeMay said. “We are more dynamic this year as far as moving the ball and not just giving it to Juan and letting him go.”

Saturno combined with Zach Tuccitto often on goals this season and they did so again in Saturday’s opening half, with precisely 10:33 left before halftime.

“He is so good. I love playing with him,” Saturno said about Tuccitto. “He’s so fast, I can just turn and I know he’s already making the run. Over the last two months, we’ve developed a great partnership. I know where I’m going to be and he knows most of the time where I’m going to be.” Jhonnyer Paida scored Morgan’s second goal from Sean Cafferty. Almost 5 minutes later, Saturno put the game away with his second goal.

“I was in the stands the last two (years),” Saturno said. “It was hard to watch them lose (two years ago) and last year was even harder because they were cochampions. No one is happy. We are all competing out here so to have a everybodywins scenario is kind of weird.”

Now Morgan sets out to try and defend its Class S state championship. The Huskies are seeded fourth and have a bye into Thursday’s second round.

“I’m excited to see what happens in states,” Skidmore said.