Darien Girls Soccer Ousted From FCIAC Playoffs

It took 80 minutes of regulation time, two 10-minute overtimes, and two rounds of penalty kicks before there was a winner in Monday's FCIAC girls soccer semifinal between Westhill and Darien.

Westhill finally came away with a 2-1 win at Wilton when the Blue Wave's final attempt in the second round of penalty kicks hit the left post and bounced away.

The Wave controlled most of the play in the first half and scored the only goal of the period.

Georgie Highton, who came down the left wing, put a couple of outstanding moves together, beat two defenders, and sent a hard, low shot to the far post past goalkeeper Jenn Osher at 29:01.

Westhill came out more aggressively to start the second half and started winning most of the "50-50'" balls. The Vikings tied the game at the 29:45 mark when Julia Busto tapped in a loose ball while battling through a crowd in front of the net.

Each team had a golden opportunity to win it in the first overtime, as Westhill's Kristen Eriksen and Darien's Dillon Schoen's each hit the crossbar with shots.

There weren't many opportunities or near misses in the next overtime, and the teams headed to the first phase of five penalty kicks.

Darien took the lead when Caitie Dee sent one to the low, left corner past Osher.

After Westhill's first three attempts went over the crossbar, the Vikings pulled even on their fourth try when Eriksen scored on a low shot.

The Wave (10-6-1) took the lead again when Schoen scored. Westhill needed a goal on its last attempt avoid the loss and Teressa Dunster came through.

"Both teams were getting tired by this time with the cold creating even more fatigue," said the seemingly tireless Alex Pear of Darien.

Goals were easier to come by in the next best-of-five set.

Claire Mahoney opened with a goal for the Vikings. India Tibbetts came right back with a tying goal.

After Darien's Charlotte Phillips made a nice save on the Vikings' next try, Kristy Gilbert gave the Wave the lead with a left-footed bullet just inside the right post.

After Westhill (10-2-4) answered, Blair Pelley's goal put Darien up, 3-2, but Elizabeth Van Name squared the shootout yet again for the Vikings.

In the fourth round, Darien's Phebe Wong was stopped by Osher, who took the next shot for Westhill and scored for a 4-3 lead.

When Darien's last attempt missed, the Vikings had the victory and a berth in the final against Greenwich, a 1-0 winner over Staples in Monday's other semifinal.

Wave Coach Jon Bradley asked Westhill mentor Dave Flower to speak to his team after the game.

"I know the hurt you're feeling right now because we went through a similar situation last year, but the hurt will go away and you'll realize what a terrific team you are and how this game could have gone either way," Flower told the Blue Wave.

"As the winning coach,  I'm glad it went our way but there's no way you should hang your heads," he added.

Bradley reminded his troops that they still have the state tournament to look forward to.

"Westhill's a really a good team, but so are we," Darien's Marieke Bravo said.  "We're back in our good groove and can't wait for the states."