NWC Strikes Early to Topple Granby in Class M

MIDDLETOWN – Confidence radiated from the girls soccer team as soon as the ball was in motion.

The top-seeded Indians’ one-touch precision created space and by the time No. 2 was able to clamp down, the damage was done.

Anne Higgins and Madison Borowiec each scored one goal and set up another Saturday as Northwest scored three times within the first 15 minutes and cruised to its first outright state championship with a 4-0 thrashing of the Bears in the Class M title match on the turf at Rosek-Skubel Stadium.

The Indians (19-0-1) savored their first taste of the ultimate prize in 2009 but had to share it with Somers. This one is theirs and theirs alone.

“2009 is always going to be special because that was the first ever for the school and first ever for me as girls coach but to win one solo? That’s all we’ve been talking about all week,” Northwest coach Todd Sadler said. “If we’re gonna win, we’re not gonna be co-champs again. They wanted their own title for themselves.”

Northwest took a 1-0 lead in the game’s fifth minute.

Michelle Medina made a diagonal run toward the left post. When the defense committed to her shooting, she shuffled a short cross to Higgins. With Granby goalkeeper Ellin McDougall leaning right, Higgins deftly tapped it into the left corner.

“We just happened to finish one of our chances early on and they knew. I told them we weren’t going to stop until we get to five,” Sadler said. “A great team like Granby was here for a reason. They were undefeated and we knew it was going to take a bunch to knock the wind out of their sails.”

The Bears’ opportunity for retribution was severely compromised less than seven minutes later.

Borowiec, a freshman midfielder, slipped past her defender and when McDougall reacted to her, she dished to All-Stater Jessica Fontaine for another well-executed strike.

Three minutes later, the Indians scored again when Borowiec received a cross from Higgins and tucked it in the right corner.

“Just dribble down the line and pass it to the middle,” Higgins said. “We dummied it in the middle [allowed ball to go through the legs]. There’s someone behind you and you score. We practice that.”

Granby’s fate was virtually sealed after 15 minutes of play. But Granby coach Gerry Trieschmann couldn’t be distressed when he considered the Bears’ full body of work this season.

“We made some mistakes but what a hell of a season,” Trieschmann said. “I’m real proud to have been able to coach this group of seniors and this whole team. It’s been a pleasure to be with them. They come in and work hard every day. It just wasn’t our night. Hats off to [Northwest]. They did a great job over there.

“That one-touch. We’re pretty good at it but they’re a tad better. We talked about it in practice the past couple of days that we had to shut that down but apparently we didn’t.”

The Bears barely ventured into their offensive zone for most of the first half until Kristen Forbes controlled the ball left of goal seven minutes before halftime. She tried to cross but Northwest keeper Rebecca Sierejko smothered it.

Moments later, the Bears had their best chance of the game but a lob by Liad Stearns rattled between the crossbar on the football goal posts and the top of the soccer goal.

Granby maintained the initiative at the start of the second half but Northwest brought the curtain down with a thud. Emily Kearney drove home the final nail less than six minutes into the second half.

Northwest successfully bottled up Granby’s most dangerous offensive player Gabby Dixon.

“We just wanted to make sure she didn’t have time and space,” Sadler said.

Chemistry played a big role in Northwest’s ability to ease through the tournament, scoring 23 goals and allowing just two. Most of the Indians play for Sadler in the offseason premier soccer.

“We’re a big family. We’re all very close,” Higgins said. “We’ve been together for awhile. We just make sure not to compete with each other. We help each other out. We get assists for each other so everybody participates.” 

Class M Final

At Rosek-Skubel Stadium, Middletown

Granby (17-1-1)         0 0 – 0

NW Catholic (19-0-1) 3 1 – 4

First half – 1. NWC, Anne Higgins (Michelle Medina), 5^th minute; 2. NWC, Jessica Fontaine (Madison Borowiec), 12^th; 3. NWC, Borowiec (Higgins), 15^th.

Second half – NWC, Emily Kearney, 46^th.

Saves – G, Ellin McDougall 2; NWC, Rebecca Sierejko 3. Shots – NWC, 8-3. Corner kicks – NWC, 4-0.