2018 CIAC girls soccer championship game capsules

CIAC 2018 FALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD

CLASS LL

No. 5 STAPLES (17-1-3) vs. No. 7 RIDGEFIELD (20-2-1)

When: Sunday, 3 p.m.

Where: West Haven HS

Broadcast: NFHS Network (subscription required)

Championship game appearances: Staples is 1-2, making its second straight appearance; Ridgefield is the defending champion.

Players to watch: Claire Middlebrook, Ridgefield: part of a rock-solid defense that has posted 20 shutouts, including six in the postseason, is also great off set pieces: she had two goals and an assist in the semifinals against Simsbury; Reese Sutter, Staples: After scoring twice in last season’s semifinal-round win, Sutter scored the game’s only goal this season, handing Glastonbury its first loss.

What to look for: An All-FCIAC finals rematch. Ridgefield is in the final for the fourth straight year, finally breaking through for its initial title 2-1 over the Wreckers. Middlebrook scored both goals to earn game MVP laurels last season. Staples has rebounded off a loss in the FCIAC tournament quarterfinals to Darien. The Wreckers have 13 shutouts themselves. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that these two teams played to a scoreless tie during the season – and this game may not be decided until overtime, or end up in a co-championship.

You should know: Staples has only allowed more than one goal once: two to Darien in its only loss.

CLASS L

No. 2 TOLLAND (17-2) vs. No. 16 FARMINGTON (12-4-4)

When: Sunday, 3 p.m.

Where: Veterans Stadium, New Britain

Broadcast: NFHS Network (subscription required)

Championship game appearances: Tolland is 3-1, last winning in 1985 and last appearing in 1989; Farmington is making its 11th appearance, the last one coming in 2011.

Players to watch: Margaret Huelin, Farmington: Freshman has made a major impact in net, earning eight shutouts; Lindsey Papa, Tolland: Striker has a hat trick in the tournament, a dangerous player Farmington must defend well.

What to look for: Farmington is the Cinderella here. Sure, the Indians play in a great league (the CCC) and tied Glastonbury and beat Simsbury, both LL semifinalists, but this run was a little surprising. The Indians knocked off one SCC team, Mercy, the top seed, in the second round, then outlasted another, Hand in penalty kicks to reach the final. Farmington will need to mark Papa tightly. The Eagles haven’t reached the final in close to three decades, so they will be determined to make good on this trip.

You should know: Farmington is just 1-7-2 in the finals, winning that lone title in 2005.

CLASS M

No. 1 LEWIS MILLS (19-0) vs. No. 3 PLAINFIELD (21-2)

When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Where: West Haven High

Internet: NFHS Network (subscription required)

Championship game appearances: Lewis Mills is making its third appearance in a final, the last coming in 2010. Plainfield is making its first appearance in a final.

Players to watch: Morgan Sokol, Lewis Mills: Much like Claire Middlebrook from Ridgefield, Sokol takes all the set pieces for Lewis Mills; Alexis Price, Plainfield: Key scorer tied the game, then had the deciding PK in the quarterfinals against Notre Dame-Fairfield.

What to look for: Lewis Mills has posted 17 shutouts this season. But Morgan was able to notch three goals in the semifinals. The Spartans found themselves trailing for the first time this season. The Spartans showed some resiliency to come back and finally prevail in penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Resmije Bylykbashi saved two PKs. She will be a key factor to try and keep the Panthers off the board. Plainfield has quite the story: the Panthers reached the ECC tournament final for the third consecutive year and have four sister combinations, all of whom either start or play significant roles, totalling nine players. That includes the Carelson sisters, Kate and Cassie, and the Price triplets (Alexis, Lindsey and Hannah)  Not only did Plainfield beat Notre Dame to reach its first state semifinal it knocked of another SWC team, Weston, in PKs again. There won’t be PKs to decide this one. Someone scores in overtime, then holds on for the remainder of the extra sessions to win it.

You should know: The only Plainfield team to win a state championship was the boys indoor track team in Class S in 1996.

CLASS S

No. 4 IMMACULATE (16-4-1) vs. No. 14 OLD LYME (12-5-4)

When: Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Middletown High

Internet: NFHS Network (subscription required)

Championship game appearances: Immaculate is making its 14th appearance, only losing once; Old Lyme is the three-time defending champion in this class.

Players to watch: Kayla Mingachos, Immaculate: Daughter of the head coach, Nelson, is the key offensive force for the Mustangs; Mya Johnson, Old Lyme: Same for this senior, who has played in a final every year of her career. Has 99 goals, including a hat trick in the semifinals.

What to look for: It would be a major upset if neither Mingachos or Johnson didn’t score. Johnson needs one more goal to reach 100 for her career. The Mustangs were the heavy favorite to reach the final. They have won or shared  10 state championships in this division, also adding a Class L title in 2014 and a co-championship with Notre Dame in 2016. Two of those titles came at the expense of Old Lyme (1995 and 2004) After dominating the Shoreline Conference for the last five seasons, the Wildcats had as subpar regular season, in part due to injuries, but has played its best soccer at the most opportune time. They will need a superior defensive performance – and Johnson to go off – to pull the upset here.