The Westhill High School girls soccer team claimed the first state championship by a Stamford school in the sport last night with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Glastonbury.
It was one of the strangest soccer games I’ve seen: Glastonbury, which was bigger and faster, dominated almost the entire game, especially in the first half. I’ve never seen a good team create so many quality scoring chances and not finish.
The Vikings have been on a magical ride all season, save for a detour with their last-second loss to Fairfield Ludlowe in the opening round of the FCIAC tournament.
Last night the defense showed tremendous grit, allowing all but one perfectly placed shot into the net. Goalkeeper Jenn Osher played the game of her life.
And after having almost all of their offense coming off of long balls, in the final minute, as forward Tessa Dunster said the team would have to do to counteract Glastonbury’s speed, the Vikings played to feet, a quick string of passes that ended with center midfielder C.C. Figluizzi-Bingham finding Dunster, who set up Penny Cote for her dramatic goal with 36 seconds left.
In case you missed them, or want to watch them again, I’m re-posting videos I shot with three of the team’s best players during the season: Dunster (last week before the state semifinal game with Ridgefield), Kirsten Eriksen and Meghan Caldwell.
