Cheshire Powers Its Way to Class L Boys Soccer Championship

HARTFORD, CT — After a crushing 3-2 defeat at hands of Farmington in last year's Class LL championship game, the Cheshire boys soccer team was looking for one thing entering the Class L tournament this year: redemption.

The Rams got exactly that, jumping to a 2-goal lead in the first half, then holding off second-seeded Xavier by a 3-1 count Sunday at Trinity Health Stadium.

Will Stearns literally used his head to get the ball rolling for Cheshire, heading in a feed from Alex Clark less than 14 minutes into the contest. Less than 15 minutes later, Samir Dishnica took a pass from Colin Brown, raced down the right side of the field and broke in alone to provide the Rams a 2-0 lead.

Diego Canellas got one back for Xavier with eight and a half minutes to play before intermission, sending the teams to halftime with a 2-1 Cheshire advantage. The Rams quickly restored the 2-goal margin less than five minutes into the second half on a goal by Kevi Sulollari off a free kick by Dishnica.

Dishnica, a senior, was voted the most valuable player of the night by game officials.

Cheshire won its second state title, and first since capturing the LL crown in 1988. Xavier sought its first state championship since 1995.