FAIRFIELD, Conn. Wilton Highs girls soccer team pressed for the final 20 minutes for the game-tying goal in Thursdays FCIAC semifinal against Fairfield Warde High School. Shots bounced off crossbars, rolled wide and clanked off the limbs of the Mustangs defenders. Despite the many close calls, the Mustangs held on to win the game, 1-0, and berth in Saturdays championship game.
We were pretty sloppy in the last couple of minutes, said senior goalkeeper Katie Brennen, who made five saves. We were just trying to keep it together and keep the shutout. Basically we were just trying to stay tough and keep everything out.
Emily Pullen scored in the 28th minute for seventh-seeded Warde (11-5-2), which stunned No. 2 New Canaan, 1-0, in Wednesdays quarterfinals. Brennen thought after Pullens goal that the Mustangs might be in for another squeaker.
I kind of thought it might be that way again, Brennen said. We were just trying to stay as focused as we could.
Warde lost to Wilton, 1-0, on Oct. 14. The Mustangs struggled down the stretch, winning just two of their final five games. Now, they are 80 minutes away from playing for the league title. They will meet Greenwich in Saturdays title game at Fairfield Ludlowe at 2 p.m.
We did what to needed to do to get to the quarterfinals, coach Tom Cunningham said. The girls turned it up at the right time, and theyre playing the way they need to play.
Brennen stood firm behind a strong backline that included Amanda Gallucci, Molly Robb, Jenny Jacob and Victoria Edison. The Mustangs never flinched, even as the Warriors took four corner kicks in the final 20 minutes.
Considering were the seventh seed, there were a lot of people doubting us, Brennen said. Im not surprised. We were ready for it.
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