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Greenwich High's girls soccer team went from the highest of high to the lowest of lows in a matter of two games. Less than a week removed from their thrilling double-overtime FCIAC championship victory over Westhill, the Cardinals were on the wrong end of the drama in the state tournament. Seeded second and awarded a first round bye, 18th-ranked Hall matched Greenwich through two overtimes and came out on top in penalty kicks, winning 2-1 (4-2 PKs).
"Hall played to their fullest potential, which is a credit to them more than anything we did wrong," Greenwich head coach Danny Simpson said. "They simply stayed calm with the ball and did their jobs. I have nothing but respect for [Hall] and they came out as deserved winners."
Hall took an early 1-0 lead, and Greenwich played with a bit of panic in its step for the rest of the game. Shannon Colligan managed to net the equalizer on a penalty kick, 17 minutes into the second half. Hall had been called for a handball in the box. Neither team made any serious threats in the rest of regulation or in the two overtimes, sending the game into a heart-wrenching penalty kick period.
Hall scored on its first penalty kick, but FCIAC championship hero Alex DiStefano answered with her own goal. The next Hall shot went wide and Maddie More's shot was right at the keeper. Hall and Greenwich matched goals again, this time with Sara Rosenband finding the net. Hall scored again, but Meghan Hayden's shot went off the crossbar. Hall's Hayley Mullins netted her shot, clinching the game for her team.
"Hey, we only lost two games all season. We've got to look at the positives," Simpson said. "It hurts to lose and it's horrible to go down today, but it's sure nice go out with the FCIAC title."
It was a rough day for Greenwich soccer as the boys team was booted from its state tournament just minutes before the girls.
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