Wilton Wins Class M Field Hockey State Title

After dethroning Darien as four-time state champions, the Wilton field hockey team wasn't going to be stopped.

Clare Detrick-Yee scored off a quick start with 2:28 remaining Saturday morning as the fourth-seeded Warriors defeated No. 7 Branford 2-1 in the Class M championship game at Wethersfield High School.

Joanne Nazareth, who played a strong game on defense for Wilton, assisted on the goal, which gave Wilton (20-3) its first state title since 2006 and third overall.

Branford, which was seeking its first state championship since 2005, had reached the final with a 2-0 semifinal victory over No. 6 Barlow on Thursday.

Valentina Tudisco, who scored the overtime game winner in Thursday's 3-2 dramatic overtime triumph against Darien, staked Wilton to a 1-0 lead 6:07 into the first half.

But despite being outplayed for most of the opening 30 minutes, the Hornets tied it on Bryanna Willaby's goal at 18:16 off a penalty corner.

The strong goaltending of Branford's Jenna Limone kept the contest even as most of the play was in the Hornets' end.

Branford did mount some pressure in the final 10 minutes of regulation and sophomore Wilton keeper Lizette Roman-Johntson had to make a few key saves.

The FCIAC hopes to win a second state championship as Norwalk battles top seed Cheshire in the Class L final today at 2 p.m. The Bears will be appearing in their first state final in school history against the tournament-tested Rams.