Amity edges Cheshire in SCC battle of unbeatens

CHESHIRE — It’s much too early to tell which girls soccer team will reign atop the Southern Connecticut Conference come November. Per usual, there are plenty of contenders.

Amity is a perennial contender and has the pieces to be there once again. And right now, the Spartans are the last remaining undefeated team in the SCC. Amity edged Cheshire 2-1 at Alumni Field Saturday on the road in what was a battle of unbeatens.

“We are psyched. We prepared for this game for a long time. We knew Cheshire was strong,” senior forward Audrey Marin said. “When we kept winning games, they kept winning games. It’s exciting to be able to win.

Said Amity coach Owen Quigley: “It’s too early, but when the dust settles, you will have the same cast of characters at the end. I think we are one of the best four.”

Marin, who is committed to play at Dartmouth University next fall, ended up scoring the deciding goal in the first half. She also injured her left ankle shortly thereafter but managed to stay on the field for Amity (6-0).

“I think with each game we win, it puts us in a tougher position because as you win, it is harder to hold out and remain undefeated,” Marin said. “Teams now come to play us expecting a big game. It’s up to us to keep up our intensity and keep our composure.”

As for the Rams (5-1), they are adjusting to life without their leading scorer and All-New England standout. Junior Gabby Tirado broke her right tibia in the opening minutes against Hamden on Thursday. She is done for the season.

“It didn’t move. I don’t need surgery or anything, so I’m waiting for it to heal. I’ll be very lucky to make it back for the spring season (for club soccer). That’s my hope right now,” Tirado said. “It’s very upsetting. You can only do so much (on the sideline). I just have to cheer on our team, help them in practice.”

Cheshire managed to hang tough with the Spartans after falling behind 2-0. Anna Hurlbut scored with 2 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the first half.

Both defenses held firm in the second half as there were only a couple of quality scoring chances in the half.

“A team goal is always to win the second half. We didn’t win the second half, but we didn’t lose the second half,” Cheshire coach Kylee McIntosh said. “We have to work on being dangerous in front of goal, something we lose without Gabby.”

Nicole Grosso scored the first goal for Amity on an assist from Marin.

Having already beaten Mercy and Branford on the road, Amity gets another stern road test on Tuesday night: Hand at the Surf Club in Madison.