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Bunnell tops Avon for first state title

MIDDLETOWN, Nov. 26 – A year ago, the Bunnell High boys soccer team made its first-ever appearance in the state finals. It was a disappointing contest for the Bulldogs, who dropped a 2-0 decision to New Canaan. However, nearly the entire team returned this season determined to change the outcome.

Bunnell-Stratford scored a goal 53 seconds into the second half and added another two goals to earn a solid 3-0 decision over No. 7 Avon and capture its first-ever state championship Saturday afternoon at Middletown High.

The No. 2 Bulldogs (20-2-2) took advantage of a defensive lapse to break a scoreless tie. After an Avon player was called for a foul, Bunnell’s Zach Zurita quickly tapped the ball to teammate Freddy Metellus, who ripped a shot from 40 yards away for a 1-0 lead. “We pretty much caught the defense sleeping,” Metellus told the Connecticut Post. “They were trying to set up and Zach played it short ball and I decided to have a hit.”

Bunnell made it 2-0 when Zurita beat two defenders to the ball and ripped a past Andrews with about 17 minutes left. It was his 43rd goal of the season and his 11th goal in the state tournament. Isaias Montalvo added a third goal off another assist from Zurita with about four minutes remaining.

“They scored some great goals,” Avon head coach Patrick Mulligan told MSG Varsity. “That kid smashed that ball into the lower corner, what are you going to do but applaud? The second goal was also a great goal. We had to push and that made us a little thin in the back. We created a few chances but were unlucky. I thought we had them on their heels a little bit in the second half.”

Avon (15-4-1) had chances. Conor Lanahan had a few good shots on goal but Bunnell goalie Sebastian Tamayo was up to the task with seven shots to earn the shutout. Tyler Bonini had a few opportunities along with Max Leopold. The Falcons did play without its leading scorer, Andrew Montano (32 goals), who was suspended for violating school rules.

The Falcons earned a spot in the finals for the first time since 2004 and had been beaten by the eventual Class L champion for the past three seasons. On this day, the Falcons were beaten by a team that was nationally ranked at one point this season and could be voted the No. 1 team in the state later this week. Pomperaug won the Class LL title but Bunnell beat the Panthers, 4-0, in the Southwest Conference championship game earlier this month.

Bunnell 3, Avon 0
At Middletown
Avon (15-4-1)0  0  — 0
Bunnell (20-2-2)      0  3 – 3

Goals: Freddy Metellus (B), Zach Zurita (B), Isaias Montalvo (B); Assists: Zurita (B) 2, Robert Rivera (B); Saves – Alex Andrews (A) 3, Sebastian Tamayo (B) 7; Shots – Avon, 12-10

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Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2025 and the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

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