Granby Reigns Supreme in Class M Girls Soccer [VIDEO]

WATERBURY, CT — The last time Granby Memorial High School won a girls soccer state championship, many of the players on the current roster were not yet born. By capturing its first title since 2001 on Saturday, the Bears hope to continue a pattern that has been consistent since the mid-1980s.

After a scoreless battle with Berlin for nearly the entire first half, Granby broke the deadlock with just 27 seconds remaining before intermission, then added a pair of second-half goals to shut out the Redcoats 3-0 and earn the program its sixth state title overall.

Granby won three straight Class S championships from 1986 to 1988, then back-to-back crowns in 2000 and 2001. Does that history bode well for a repeat in 2018? The chances are good, as the three top performers in Saturday's victory are all sophomores.

In the final minute of the first half at the Ray Snyder Sr. Field at Municipal Stadium, Samantha St. Pierre dribbled through a pair of Redcoat defenders, broke in alone on goalkeeper Lindsay Walsh and scored to send the Bears into halftime with a one-goal advantage. It would prove to be the only score needed.

Just over 15 minutes into the second half, Maria Nolan booted a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net to provide Granby with a two-goal margin. With just over seven minutes to play, St. Pierre converted on a penalty kick for an insurance tally that wrapped up the title for the second-seeded Bears, and earned her the game's Most Valuable Player award.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Felicia Fauteux was not tested often, but responded well when pressured to keep Berlin off the scoreboard and ensure the victory.

Granby finished the season with a 19-1 record, while 20th-seeded Berlin, which knocked out top-seeded Berlin and three other higher-ranked opponents, wound up 12-9.

Photo and video credit: Tim Jensen