Avon’s Meghan McKenna keeps the pressure on Suffield’s Alyssa Bergamini in Wednesday night’s game in Suffield.
SUFFIELD, Oct. 29 – It was a non-league contest between two teams that shared the North Central Connecticut Conference girls soccer championship. But Suffield High had something to prove.
“We were told all week that this game didn’t mean anything. But these games always mean something, especially when you’re playing against Avon,” Suffield High coach David Sullivan said. “Two of the better teams in the state were going after it.”
The Wildcats scored a pair of goals in each half to beat Avon, 2-0 in a rain-soaked contest. Nicole Strykjek got away from three Avon defenders to score a sharp goal with 9:14 remaining in the first half while teammate Alexa Champagne scored on a nice corner kick with 8:19 left in the game to secure the win.
Both teams went 13-0-1 in the league. They battled to a 2-2 overtime tie earlier this month at Fisher Meadows in Avon. For Suffield, it was their fifth league title in the last six years. Avon earned its first league title since 2008.
But it was Suffield on top in the final regular season contest between the two teams. Avon, which had finished second in the league for the past five years, will be leaving the NCCC in June to join the Central Connecticut Conference next fall.
“We couldn’t ask for a better game going into the state tournament,” Sullivan said. “I know we tied for the league but it helps to have a little extra motivation. These games do matter.”
Avon (13-1-2, 13-0-1 NCCC) was playing its third game in three days. They outlasted Enfield, 1-0 on Monday thanks to a game-winning goal from Michael Marcus and beat Granby, 3-0 on Tuesday to clinch a share of the league championship. Marcus, Hannah Davey and Emma Coran scored for the Falcons against the Bears.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Avon coach Jim Murray said. “We didn’t have the gas. It was our third game in three days and it’s tough especially when you have to play Suffield in the third game.”
Suffield was in control for most of the first half. They took the early lead when Strykjek broke through a pack of three Avon defenders and blasted a shot just under the crossbar and over the fingertips of Avon goalie Emma Carlone.
Carlone made some nice saves in the later stages of the first half. Teammate Jen Greenfield used her head to clear out one dangerous possession to keep the Falcons in the game.
Champagne iced the game for Suffield with 8:19 remaining as her corner kick curved into the goal for a 2-0 advantage.
“The first half was probably our best half we’ve played all year,” Sullivan said. “In the second half, we got a little bit out of control but we’ll take it. People don’t realize we have six freshmen and sophomores who start. For them to play that well against Avon is amazing.”
A year after taking second in the Class LL tournament, the Wildcats are back in Class M and looking for its first state championship since 2010. Avon, meanwhile, will participate in the Class L tournament seeking to return to the finals for the fifth time in the last six years. Avon won in 2012 and 2011.
Playing a team with the speed of Suffield is a good tuneup for the Falcons. “We’ll just forget about this one and move on,” Murray said. “Now, it’s one and done.”
NOTES: The last time the league had co-champions in girls soccer was in 2008 when Suffield (12-0-1) and Avon (12-0-1) shared the title. The two teams also shared the NCCC title in 2007. ... Suffield was ranked No. 1 in the most recent Class M/S state coaches poll. Avon was ranked No. 2 in the Class LL/L state coaches poll behind Glastonbury.
Suffield 2, Avon 0
At Suffield
Avon (13-1-2) 0 0 — 0
Suffield (14-0-2) 1 1 – 2
Goals: Alexa Champagne (S), Nicole Strykjek (S); Assists: Katie McDonough (S), Jenna Wozniak (S); Saves: Emma Carlone and Lydia Cuddleback (A) 6 combined; Jessica Cunningham (S) 6
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