Class L Girls - No. 1 St. Joseph Cadets vs. No. 2 Suffield Wildcats
Going into the Class L championship game, it was obvious Jenna Bike is an outstanding player. She’s an All-American, a member of the youth national team setup, and her team’s leading goal scorer. But it’s a whole other experience to watch her play.
Bike scored a goal and added an assist in the 2-0 win for St. Joseph over Suffield to earn the Most Outstanding Player award. Her speed and skill were on display for 80 minutes. She bookended her first half goal with two shots off the crossbar.
In the second half, she placed a corner kick right on the waiting head of her teammate, Lindsey Savko, for the Cadets’ second goal. Bike was a constant offensive threat, dribbling past multiple defenders, and continually pressing the Suffield back line.
This was her last high school game, and Jenna Bike goes out on top. Now, she’s off to try to join names like Buckley, Lilly, and Naeher, who went from the Connecticut High School ranks to national renown on the soccer field.
Class S Girls - No. 5 Old Lyme Wildcats vs. No.18 Notre Dame-Fairfield Lancers
When the horn sounded to end the second overtime and make Old Lyme and Notre Dame-Fairfield co-champions in Class S, there was one thought in the minds of most neutral observers at Municipal Stadium: “No one deserved to lose this game.”
This was Notre Dame’s first state title game, but the Lancers did not play like they were wearing the yoke of history. Samantha LaValle, the school’s all-time leader in goals, scored just over three minutes in, and Erika Quinones doubled the lead just after the midpoint of the first half. Despite the two goals for Notre Dame, Old Lyme pressed forward, having the majority of the offensive chances before the break.
The second half started much like the first ended, with the Notre Dame defense bending under the Old Lyme pressure. The Lancer defense held until Maddie Ouellette struck, scoring twice in just over eight minutes to tie the game, and set up a frantic final 45 minutes.
Both teams would go on to hit the post, and force the opposing goalkeeper to make stellar saves, but neither team would score another goal. When the horn sounded, players jogged, walked, and limped off the field. But they all came off as champions.
By Tom Felice
Special Contributor to CPTV Sports
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