CIAC GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES
CLASS LL NO. 1 CHESHIRE (21-0-1) VS. NO. 3 STAPLES (15-2-4)
WHEN: Sunday, 4 p.m.
WHERE: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford.
TICKETS: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior Citizens $5, Children five and under; military in uniform or with I.D., Free. Digital Tickets Only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance.
ON THE AIR/WEB:NFHS Network (Subscription required)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — Cheshire is making its fourth appearance, the first one since 2008. Cheshire was a co-champion with Simsbury in 2005 and won outright in its first trip in 2003; Staples is making its sixth appearance. The Wreckers were co-champions last season with Wilton and are 1-3 in the other games, the one victory coming in their first appearance in 1989.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Cheshire has had a spectacular season. The Rams followed up an unbeaten regular season with a run to their first SCC tournament title since 2016, beating another weekend state finalist, Mercy, in the championship game. Gabby Tirado, Anna Hurlbut and Haley Shaw lead an explosive offense. Tirado scored the deciding goal in that game and scored both in the semifinals on Wednesday against Ridgefield, a team that had allowed just four goals all season. Staples was gone of the teams that Ridgefield shut out, but that was way back in the season opener. The Wreckers have the Chudowsky sisters, Evelyn and Natalie, leading the offense and senior Sami DeWitt headlining a defense that has been the backbone of this program for years. Staples was co-champion with fellow FCIAC team Wilton last year. Now, penalty kicks will determine outright winners if need be.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Cheshire coach Kylee McIntosh played on the last Cheshire team that advanced to the state finals in 2008.
NO. 3 MERCY (19-3-1) VS. NO. 13 NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (13-5-2)
WHEN: Saturday, 4 p.m.
WHERE: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford.
TICKETS: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior Citizens $5, Children five and under; military in uniform or with I.D., Free. Digital Tickets Only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance.
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — Mercy is making its second straight appearance in the Class M final. The Tigers were co-champions with Sacred Heart Academy last season. Northwest Catholic is 3-1-1 in previous appearances, falling to Holy Cross 3-2 in last year.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Mercy had the better of the play against Sacred Heart Academy last season and the Tigers were disappointed to share the Class M state championship. With penalty kicks in place, the Tigers won't have to worry about that. Kate Donlan and Megan Menard lead an offense that has plenty of options. Donlan had two goals and three assists in Mercy's last two tournament wins. Melina Ford has posted 16 shutouts and gets a chance at another title before heading to play at Central Connecticut State next season. Northwest Catholic benefited greatly from playing against the likes of Simsbury, Southingtion and Farmington during the regular season to prepare for another run to the final.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Northwest Catholic has shut out all four teams it has faced in the tournament, including three NVL teams: Wolcott (4-0), champion Woodland (3-0) and Watertown (5-0).