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11/05/2013 11:00 PMThe Guilford and Branford girls' soccer squads went toe to toe in a classic contest that was brimming with intensity in the SCC Tournament final on Oct. 30. Branford netted a first-half goal and held that one-score lead until the game's home stretch. However, Guilford then broke loose for a trio of goals in a 15-minute span en route to a 3-1 victory at East Haven.
The win improved the Indians to 17-2, marked their first SCC title since 2002, and their fourth overall.
"This is the most amazing feeling," said senior forward Nikki Basilicato, who scored Guilford's first goal to tie the game. "We've worked so hard for four years, we knew what we wanted to do, we grew, we played well, and we finally won."
Branford-which won last year's SCC tourney-scored the game's first goal just 9:39 into the contest, when Rachel Cholewinski converted a corner kick from fellow junior midfielder Sara Consolo for a quick 1-0 lead.
The Hornets (16-2-1) took their one-goal lead to halftime, but then Guilford started generating more offensive chances in the second half. With 16:30 left to play, Basilicato headed home junior midfielder Julia Carr's corner kick and the game was tied 1-1. Eight minutes later, senior forward Kyera Bryant passed the ball over a Hornets' defender to junior midfielder Allie Stephens, who put home the go-ahead goal and a 2-1 advantage. Carr then sealed the victory by scoring with 29 seconds remaining.
"It feels so good. We came together at halftime and, when Nikki tied the game, we knew we could do it," said Stephens. "We all got pumped up and were winning every 50-50 ball."
Coach Scott McMahon said that Guilford winning its first SCC title in over a decade "definitely puts us back on the map." McMahon knows that his Indians didn't play their best in the opening frame, yet was pleased to see his athletes come out with a head of steam in what proved a historic second half.
"We were kind of a like a deer in the headlights in the first half, but then we started finding feet, making nice passes, and that's the kind of soccer we play," said McMahon, whose team had beat Amity 2-0 in the SCC semis. "I'm happy that the girls stuck together. We regrouped and we got the momentum."
The SCC Oronoque champion Hornets wasted little time getting on the scoreboard by recording the initial goal on the game's first corner kick. Consolo inbounded the ball and Cholewinski was right there in front to put it past junior keeper Emily Stephens for a 1-0 advantage.
Branford controlled the early going of the contest in which neither team had many offensive opportunities. With about 12 minutes left in the first half, Hornets' senior captain midfielder Tanya Altrui had a chance to make it a two-goal game, although Stephens used her hands to make the save over her head and keep Guilford within striking distance. The Indians then applied a little offensive pressure during one sequence late in the half, yet Branford junior midfielder Emma Pottenger cleared the ball to avoid danger. The Hornets had two corner kicks that didn't materialize in the final minutes and the game went to halftime with Branford up 1-0.
SCC Hammonasset champ Guilford came out a different team in the second half by possessing the ball much more than in the first, which resulted in the Indians' first corner kick about nine minutes in. Then with 24:35 to play, Carr sent in another corner and Branford senior keeper Becca Vitale went high to make a stop amidst a scrum in front. Vitale went down with an injury, but stayed in the game and denied a few more Guilford chances in the ensuing minutes. However, with just over 16 minutes remaining, the Indians earned another corner and Basilicato headed in the feed from Carr to knot the game 1-1.
"It was the most exhilarating moment of my life," Basilicato said.
Guilford continued pressuring the Hornets, although athletes such senior defender Hannah Milles, defender Alyssa Case and fellow junior Abby Millroy, plus sophomore defender Jessie O'Connor did their best to break up scoring opportunities and keep the game tied. But with 8:30 to play, Bryant made a pinpoint pass to Allie Stephens, who went up top to score what proved the game-winning goal as Guilford took the lead for good at 2-1.
Of course, Stephens felt thrilled that she scored such a crucial goal, yet also was quick to credit the team's defense, which includes her twin sister Emily in net, for playing a lockdown second half.
"Our defense works so hard and was so solid," she said. "Without them, we never would have gotten the momentum."
The rest was left to Guilford's defense, which broke up Branford's last solid chance when Altrui took the ball into the Indians' zone with about two minutes left. A few minutes before that, Vitale suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced in net by sophomore Foley Riggs. Guilford then iced the game and sealed the SCC title when Carr scored the Indians' third goal with 29 seconds to go.
"I'm proud of our team," said Coach McMahon, whose team now competes in the Class L bracket that includes Branford. "We have a special team and part of it is that we have faith in each other and we showed that in the second half. We played as well as we could play in that half."
In addition to those already mentioned, Guilford's SCC championship roster included seniors Claire Weil (goalie), Maya Morduch-Toubman (defender), Rachel Winer (forward), Tori Loukakes (defender), Lindsey Updyke (defender), Gabie Sejourne (midfielder), Emma Smith (midfielder), Shauna McLaughlin (defender), Grace Wagner (forward), Julia McMahon (midfielder), Lauren Renz (defender), and Stephanie Maiorino (midfielder); along with juniors Lauren Lepeak (goalie), Maddie Weil (midfielder), Paige Dostie (midfielder), Caroline Miller (midfielder), Olivia Watrous (midfielder), Zoe Demitrack (defender), and Marieke Page (defender); as well as sophomores Grace Clancy (forward), Erin Lamberton (defender), and Bronagh Lonergan (defender); plus freshman Kayley McLaughlin (midfielder).