By Emma Barhydt
New Canaan’s girls soccer team clinched the FCIAC championship on Monday night, overcoming St. Joseph in a tense 1-1 (3-2 PKs) win that secured the Rams’ first outright FCIAC title in over 15 years and ended St. Joseph’s 59-game unbeaten streak. The decisive penalty kick by Sydney Patten pushed the Rams into the history books, concluding a season marked by determination and resilience.
The Rams’ defensive line, comprising seniors Emma Row, Ceci Patterson, Kate Kupchak, and Lilah Donaldson, held strong against St. Joseph’s relentless offensive efforts. Throughout the game, New Canaan’s defense, supported by goalkeeper Chrys Gabriel’s 12 saves, weathered constant pressure from St. Joseph, a team that had dominated its opponents all season. New Canaan’s defense consistently held its ground, maintaining a disciplined structure that limited the Cadets’ scoring opportunities, even under intense pressure.
In the second half, New Canaan managed to break through first with a penalty kick following a St. Joseph foul in the box. Paige Place transformed the opportunity, giving the Rams a rare lead over the top-seeded Cadets. However, St. Joseph rallied with just over a minute left in regulation as Alexa Pino leveled the score, pushing the game into overtime. The Rams stood firm through the two overtime periods, ultimately setting up the final penalty shootout.
In overtime, St. Joseph initially gained the upper hand, with Pino scoring and goalkeeper Helena Kaczmarczyk making crucial saves. However, New Canaan regained momentum as first Kupchak, then Place, and finally Patten successfully converted their penalties. St. Joseph missed its final two attempts on goal, sealing New Canaan’s victory and marking an end to the St. Joseph’s chance at a third consecutive championship title.
Throughout the season, New Canaan had shown impressive resilience, with only a single loss after an early-season stumble. Coach Rich Hickson credited the Rams’ defensive strength, noting that their consistency had played a crucial role in their success against a team as talented as St. Joseph. New Canaan’s ability to hold its ground against top-tier teams, demonstrated by close games against both St. Joseph and Staples, contributed to the Rams’ remarkable season finish.
The road to the championship had its own challenges. In the semifinal, New Canaan secured a 2-0 win over Staples, with Julia McPhillips scoring both goals. This hard-fought victory set the stage for the championship showdown, where the Rams were determined to prove their mettle.
For the team’s senior defenders, the victory was especially poignant after last year’s early playoff exit against St. Joseph as well as a loss to the Cadets 1-0 in a regular-season game this year. This victory marked New Canaan’s first FCIAC title since 2009, an achievement that represents both growth and resilience.
With St. Joseph moving on as the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Class LL state tournament, New Canaan will enter the Class L tournament as a top-ten seed, looking to carry its momentum forward. As Monday’s game demonstrated, the Rams are ready for anything.
