Champions Forever: Greenwich Boys Varsity Soccer Team Honored At Town Hall

GREENWICH, CT — Last month, the 16th-ranked Greenwich High School boys varsity soccer team made history by knocking off 2nd-ranked Hall High School to capture its first state title since 1961.

On Thursday, the coaching staff and the team received a hero's welcome at Greenwich Town Hall, where First Selectman Fred Camillo proclaimed Dec. 8, 2022, as Greenwich High School Varsity Boys' Soccer Day in the town of Greenwich, and urged all residents to join in congratulating the team on an incredible season.

Camillo, along with Selectwoman Lauren Rabin and Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, handed out certificates of recognition to the team as family and friends looked on.

"This just shows you what hard work and determination does. Greenwich is very proud of you," Camillo told the team.

In the proclamation, Camillo said the squad "demonstrated immense grit, determination and sacrifice for the task at hand, epitomizing Cardinal core values with a never-quit attitude."

The Cardinals entered the CIAC Class LL tournament as the 16th-ranked team with a record of 9-5-2. Their odyssey as underdogs en route to a Cinderella story finish began with a 2-1 victory over the defending state champion Farmington High School on penalty kicks.

Next, the Cardinals knocked off No. 1 seed Trumbull 1-0, also on penalty kicks, and then Newington High School 1-0. In the semifinals, Greenwich beat No. 13 Fairfield Prep in penalty kicks to advance to the championship against Hall.

The championship took place on Nov. 19 at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford. Greenwich junior Maximo Ferrario scored two goals to put Greenwich in front 2-1, but the match was eventually tied at two heading into penalty kicks.

Greenwich won on its fourth penalty shoot out following a goal from senior co-captain Lucas Luzuriaga.

"To go through four sets of penalty shootouts [in the tournament], it just says you've got massive nerves of steel to be able to do that," said head coach Kurt Putnam on Thursday.

This season was Putnam's 22nd at the helm, and assistant coach Ray Marschall's 14th campaign. When asked to compare this season to all the others, Putnam quickly said this one ranked at the very top.

"When your town recognizes the achievements of the program, it's an incredible feeling to get that kind of recognition," he said. "This is richly deserved by the boys."

Luzuriaga called it a true team victory, and fellow co-captain and senior Jamie Smith said this season was the perfect way to end his high school career. He was thankful for the recognition by the town.

"We're all very, very grateful for Mr. Camillo to take the time today to honor us like this. It's a huge privilege that he knows of this and also that he cares so much," Smith said.

Co-captain Gordon Cartwright said the team deserved to win after all the hard work they put in throughout the long season.

"We're making history as we leave," he said, reflecting back on his final high school season. "You always want to leave the team better than you found it, and we did that."

Putnam added that he's looking forward to taking a break before getting back into preparation mode for 2023 and another title run.