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11/25/2024 10:05 AMThe Morgan Huskies girls’ soccer team concluded its 2024 season at the Class S State Tournament on Nov. 17. The Huskies fought up until the very end but fell short in penalty kicks (PK) to Coginchaug 4-3.
Prior to competing in the state championship, the Huskies captured their fourth Shoreline Athletic Conference (SLC) championship. Head coach Jon Harder and the team had set their season goals to make it to both the conference and state championships, which they did.
“It was a pretty hard game; we had a really good, solid game. They stuck to their game plan and were able to score on us in the second half to tie it up,” said Harder. “We had our chances to score. I think we had a couple of real legitimate chances to go ahead in the second half and overtime but just couldn't convert. It went down to our fifth shooter in penalty kicks, and we couldn’t convert as many kicks.”
During the regular season, the Huskies faced the Blue Devils twice, defeating them 7-2 and 5-1. In any sport, it is almost impossible to defeat a team three times in one season.
“The scores from the regular season can be an aberration because they could have easily been 2-1 or 3-1 games. There was no pressure on Coginchaug during the finals because we had already played them twice and defeated them during the regular season. They were were ready for our attack during the finals,” said Harder. “I don't think it diminishes how hard we worked in the final game. We were just exhausted at the end, everybody was on both teams. It was our system we had defending and counterattacking that got us through the quarter and semifinals and in the finals.”
Before the Huskies advanced to the state championship game, they were able to shut out Thomaston (2-0), Coventry (6-0), and Valley Regional (5-0), making the state championship game the only goal allowed during the tournament.
Senior goalkeeper Liliana Novicki made huge saves during the finals to help push the Huskies to a potential victory. Harder also mentions the five seniors, Novicki, Rachel Spaziano (senior, captain,) Liliana Luciani (senior, captain, defender), Gabby Navara (senior, defender), and Olivia Ruotolo (senior, forward), who excelled in the championship.
“Liliana saved her best game for her last game. She really came out and saved a lot of mistakes that we were not able to fix in front of us. All of the five seniors gave everything they could, and as a coach, you can’t ask for anything more,” said Harder. “Olivia Ruotolo scored in the quarters and semifinals; she put a lot of shots on in the entire tournament. Gabby Navara was a great defender in the back, just absolutely ferocious and has a fiery spirit that I think rubbed off on the rest of us.”
In the quarterfinals, top contributors include Spaziano scoring the first goal. In the second half, Cora Deming (junior, midfielder) had one goal, Ruotolo, had two goals, and Sadie Passante (junior, midfielder) and Spaziano both had one apiece. Novicki had two saves during this game.
Captains Spaziano and Luciani led the Huskies into their final game of the season as well as during the entirety of their last year with the team.
“We had just superb leadership from our captains. They showed the younger kids what it takes to compete [and] challenge everyone at the state level. I am really happy that they did that for us and really proud of them because that’s what we are trying to do at Morgan,” said Harder. “We are trying to build a perennial challenger in every game.”
Having such a successful season and putting up a fight until the very end, Harder and the Huskies kept their spirits high regardless of the outcome during the last game.
“Again, our focus the whole year was to be ready for the conference and state tournaments. We were wired in for team chemistry, very supportive of each other, we were in good shape, and in good spirits throughout the season,” said Harder. “The coaching staff was really happy, all the kids were happy, there were no personality issues on the team. Having just one goal allowed in the state tournament is pretty good, and I think that anyone will take that.”
The team will be graduating five seniors this upcoming spring. With the returning players that were a part of the successful season this year, Harder looks forward to getting back onto the field next fall.
“In the incoming strong senior class, we will have five starters, and the rest will be starting and contributing next year. I am excited. These kids have been playing together since they were little, so they know each other well; they respect one another,” said Harder. “That is a really solid foundation in which we can build a successful team. Everybody is already buying in on next year, so when the time rolls around, they will be dialed into every game we play and putting together a couple more championship titles.”
Harder is assisted by Bill Lindsay and Chris Passante.
The varsity roster for the Huskies includes Luciani, Navara, Novicki, Ruotolo, Spaziano, Deming, Riley Febbroriello (junior, defender), Katie Gardner (junior, forward), Ainsley Lyon (junior, midfielder), Passante, Addison Reed (junior, midfielder), Emma Holecz (sophomore, midfielder), Colbie LeClaire (freshman, midfielder), and Mia Zhiminaicela (freshman, midfielder).