Printer Friendly Version - Guilford Girls’ Soccer Wins SCC Tourney by Beating Shelton

The Guilford girls’ soccer squad won its first SCC title since 2014 by earning a 2-1 victory against Shelton in the conference final at West Haven High School on Nov. 6. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

The Guilford girls’ soccer team has been using excellent defense and an opportunistic offense to succeed throughout the 2019 season. On Nov. 6, the Indians made the most of both of those components when they earned a 2-1 victory versus Shelton in the SCC Tournament championship game at West Haven High School.

With the win, Guilford, which is now 13-2-4 overall, captured its sixth conference title in program history and the team’s first since 2014. The Indians’ victory set the tone for a big week that saw Guilford win SCC titles for boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, field hockey, and volleyball.

No. 3 seed Guilford scored each of its goals during the first half against 4th-seeded Shelton. Junior Sophia Gabriel buried the first goal of the game to put Guilford up 1-0. Gabriel later assisted senior Lily Riccio for the second goal to give the Indians a 2-0 lead.

With 9:40 remaining in the game, Shelton’s Leya Vohra took a free kick from 35 yards out. The ball hit the crossbar and landed over the goal line to cut the lead to 2-1.

From that point on, Guilford’s defense clamped down and kept Shelton off the board to seal the victory for the Indians.

“It got chaotic out there,” said senior captain defender Madison Gambardella, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. “We weren’t about to let one goal by them get to us. We weren’t about to freak out. We controlled our defense, packed it in even tighter, and defended like we’ve done all year long.”

Gambardella garnered All-SCC First Team accolades for Guilford. Gambardella’s sister and fellow defender, junior Taylor Gambardella, made the All-SCC Second Team.

Gabriel gave the Indians a 1-0 lead when she beat Shelton goalkeeper Arianna Malick from about 15 yards out for the game’s first score. Gabriel controlled the ball off a dribble and fired a shot that went past the outstretched hands of Malick and into the net.

“It was a tough angle,” Gabriel said. “I knew I didn’t have much room going wide, but she had my angle to the inside post.”

Later in the opening half, Gabriel took a shot that Malick saved, although Riccio knocked it home after getting behind the Gaels’ goalie. The Indians took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

“Sophia’s had a wonderful year for us,” Head Coach Scott McMahon said. “She has worked so hard after missing almost all of her sophomore year with a torn ACL. She’s been our scorer in all three SCC Tournament games.”

Senior keeper Claire Mackenzie made three saves to get the win in net for the Indians. With Guilford leading 2-0 in the 56th minute, Mackenzie faced a challenge when Vohra stepped to the line for a penalty kick. Mackenzie stood her ground as Vohra’s attempt sailed over the crossbar. Vohra scored her goal a few minutes later, but it was too little, too late for the Gaels.

Shelton came into the game as the defending SCC champion. The conference final marked the first time that Guilford played Shelton this season.

“It didn’t matter. We knew they were good,” said Gabriel of the Gaels. “It’s nice to know that all of this hard work by myself and my teammates is being rewarded by winning this championship.”

Guilford has won the SCC Tournament six times since its inception in 1998. The Indians are the last team to have claimed back-to-back titles, doing so in 2013 and 2014.

“With the level of competition and parity in our conference, it’s not likely to happen again,” said Coach McMahon.

Guilford had started off the SCC Tournament by earning a 1-0 home win over No. 6 seed Foran in the quarterfinals on Nov. 2. Two days later, the Indians posted a 1-0 road victory against No. 2 Mercy in a semifinal contest. Gabriel scored Guilford’s goal in each of those victories.

Guilford enters the Class L State Tournament as the No. 6 seed and hosted No. 27 North Haven in the first round at Nov. 12 (after press time). With a win, Guilford would host the victor of No. 11 E.O. Smith and No. 22 Law for a second-round game on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. The quarterfinals are on Saturday, Nov. 16; the semis will by played on either Tuesday, Nov. 19 or Wednesday, Nov. 20; and the title bout takes place on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Indians’ last state title came when they won the Class L State Tournament in 2013.

“I had never played on a championship team in my four years until we won tonight. Now, I, along with my teammates, have another chance,” Madison Gambardella said. “It’s great to be able to keep on playing this time of the year. I love soccer. This will be great.”

Guilford’s roster features senior captains Gabi Garcia-Perez and Madison Gambardella, seniors Claire Mackenzie, Angie Rusconi, Lauren Hess, Lily Riccio, Maria Jennings, Maggie Mandel, and Emma McSweet; juniors Julia Rubbo, Olivia Ste. Marie, Kelsey Lynch, Sophie Watrous, Sophia Gabriel, Lexie Greene, Taylor Gambardella, and Moira Kellaher; sophomores Audrey Kamen, Brenna Fissell, Taylor Farace, Olivia McMahon, Gabby Sansone, Abby Moore, Amelia Rattet, Lauren Cunneen, and Lily Mariconda; and freshmen Kat Baseggio, Ari Tomassi, and Ava Lepro.