Portland girls soccer is back in the final as the highest seed to qualify for a girls soccer championship. MaxPreps photo by Kevin Pataky.
The brackets have been whittled down and the fall sports season will conclude in five sports with a bonanza of championship events over the coming days. Below we have provided a historical breakdown of each team’s success in the respective tournaments, to provide some context for what will take place this weekend. Along with that, there are several interesting little tidbits found by digging through the championship match-ups and their history. As such, here are a few of the quick items catching our attention heading into the weekend (Note – story will be updated upon the conclusion of Thursday’s volleyball semifinals).
- Portland girls soccer is making some history as the lowest seed to ever play in a girls soccer final as the 29th seed. The previous lowest to appear in a final was Windham as the 20th seed in class M in 1994. Trumbull (2011) and Immaculate (2010) both reached championship games as 18-seeds as the next lowest number. Had Portland not reached the final for a third-straight year, East Catholic would have matched the girls soccer mark as the lowest seed in a championship game as the Eagles equaled Windham by earning a final spot as the 20th-seed.
- A tourney note from an event that already took place, but still certainly noteworthy, was the performances at the girls diving State Open on Thursday night. Three competitors broke the previous state and meet records at the competition both of which were more than 15 years old. Kylie Towbin of New Canaan placed first with a total of 521.75, followed by Rachel Burston of Westhill/Stamford at 515.60 and Kari Djonne of Newtown who scored 497.95. While there have been some minor changes in the way diving is scored for the 2014 season, all three scores were well ahead of the previous meet record of 486.20 and state record of 493.40.
- It has the potential to be a memorable weekend for Glastonbury as the school is making appearances in the field hockey, boys soccer, and girls soccer championship matches. Since 2000 only three other schools have had three teams qualify for fall sports championships (not including football, or individual qualification sports such as cross country or swimming). New Canaan played in the finals in the same sports as Glastonbury in the fall of 2009, and Granby Memorial took part in the finals those three sports in both 2001 and 2000.
- Farmington boys soccer can make some history as a win in the class LL final would give the program 12 boys soccer state titles, matching Guilford for the most in state history. The Indians are currently part of a three-way tie with 11th boys soccer titles with E.O. Smith and Wethersfield.
- The class L volleyball final features the only championship rematch from a year ago. Last year, RHAM outlasted Farmington in a thrilling five-set contest to claim its fifth title in the last seven years. Both teams went undefeated in the regular season, with RHAM then earning a 3-1 win in the CCC championship.
- Wilton field hockey enters the weekend with the longest string of consecutive finals appearances. The team’s berth in the class M final is a fourth-straight championship appearance, and the team has won the title in each of those three years. Farmington boys soccer, Darien field hockey and Portland girls soccer are next with the most consecutive finals appearances coming into the weekend as all three teams are making a third-straight appearance in a championship game.
- Other teams that would reach noteworthy championship totals with wins this weekend include Granby Memorial field hockey, Immaculate girls soccer, and Darien girls volleyball. Both Granby and Darien currently hold the record for most titles in their respective sports, while Immaculate can move within one of the current leader in girls soccer titles.
- Seven teams are looking for the first championship in program history, and four of those are making a first-ever appearance in the finals. Branford boys soccer, Granby Memorial girls volleyball, East Catholic girls soccer, and Housatonic Regional girls soccer are all looking for the program’s first title in a first-ever appearance. Meanwhile Daniel Hand field hockey will try to earn its first title in its fifth appearance in a final, East Hampton boys soccer is also trying to grab a first title in its fifth trip to the finals, and Seymour girls volleyball dropped suffered a loss in its only previous trip to a championship match.
- Seventeen of the teams qualified for championship games this weekend enter the title match with records above .500 in their previous title match appearances. Three teams are right at the .500 mark in previous title matches, four are making a first championship match appearance, and six enter the finals with a sub-.500 record in their championship match history.
- Darien and Cheshire met in the 2012 class LL final, with the Blue Wave prevailing 3-0. That happens to be the last time Cheshire lost a match as the Rams come in as defending champions and riding a long winning streak. Darien boasts a remarkable 16-1 record in CIAC finals including a string of 10-straight titles from 2001 to 2010.
- FCIAC field hockey stalwarts Darien and Wilton are riding an impressive string of championship success. The pair have 13 titles between them, and one of the two schools has captured a championship in every year going back to the 2006 season.
- There are no championship matches this weekend in which we are guaranteed a first-time champion. The closest would be the class S volleyball final where Seymour is looking for its first championship and Haddam-Killingworth has one title in seven previous title match appearances.
Field Hockey:
Class L: #7 Darien vs. #1 Glastonbury (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Darien: 11th appearance, 8-2 overall. 2013 def. Cheshire 3-1; 2012 def. Cheshire 4-0; 2010 def. Daniel Hand 3-2; 2009 def. New Canaan 3-0; 2008 def. Wilton 2-1; 2007 def. Pomperaug 3-2; 2004 lost to Branford 3-1; 1984 def. Cheshire 1-0; 1982 lost to Greenwich 2-1 (PS); 1981 def. Simsbury 1-0.
Glastonbury: 2nd appearance, 1-0 overall. 2010 co-Champions with Pomperaug 1-1.
Class M: #2 Daniel Hand vs. #1 Wilton (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Daniel Hand: 5th appearance, 0-4 overall. 2010 lost to Darien 3-2; 2006 lost to Wilton 2-0; 2005 lost to Branford 1-0; 1998 lost to Pomperaug 1-0.
Wilton: 8th appearance, 5-2 overall. 2013 def. Lauralton Hall 1-0 (OT); 2012 def. Guilford 3-0; 2011 def. Branford 2-1; 2008 lost to Darien 2-1; 2006 def. Daniel Hand 2-0; 2003 lost to New Canaan 2-1; 1976 def. South Windsor 2-1.
Class S: #3 Granby Memorial vs. #1 Lewis Mills (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Granby Memorial: 20th appearance, 13-6 overall. 2013 lost to Stonington 1-0; 2011 def. Lauralton Hall 2-1 (2OT); 2010 def. Haddam-Killingworth 3-0; 2009 def. Lewis Mills 3-1; 2008 lost to New Fairfield 2-0; 2007 def. Canton 3-0; 2004 def. Canton 3-1; 2003 def. Lewis Mills 3-1; 2002 lost to Shepaug Valley 3-2 (OT); 2001 lost to Shepaug Valley 1-0; 2000 def. Shepaug Valley 1-0 (OT); 1989 lost to Old Saybrook 2-1; 1988 lost to Old Saybrook 2-1; 1985 co-Champions vs. Canton; 1982 def. Pomperaug 1-0; 1980 def. Terryville 3-1; 1978 def. Litchfield 1-0; 1974 def. Lewis Mills 2-1; 1973 def. Guilford 2-1.
Lewis Mills: 5th appearance, 1-3 overall. 2009 lost to Granby Memorial 3-1, 2005 co-Champions vs. Haddam-Killingworth 1-1; 2003 lost to Granby Memorial 3-1; 1974 lost to Granby Memorial 2-1.
Boys Soccer:
Class LL: #15 Glastonbury vs. #4 Farmington (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Glastonbury: 13th appearance, 7-4 overall. 2013 co-Champions vs. Ridgefield; 2008 lost to Farmington 2-1; 2007 lost to Ridgefield 1-0; 2005 def. Farmington 2-1; 2003 co-Champions vs Simsbury 0-0; 1999 def. Guilford 1-0 (OT); 1989 def. Danbury 1-0; 1984 lost to Ridgefield 3-2; 1979 lost to Manchester 3-0; 1960 co-Champions vs. Hall 1-1; 1959 def. Hall 1-0; 1951 lost to Ellsworth 3-0.
Farmington: 17th appearance, 11-5 overall. 2013 def. Joel Barlow 4-0; 2012 def. Avon 5-0; 2010 def. Staples 2-1; 2008 def. Glastonbury 2-1; 2005 lost to Glastonbury 2-1; 2003 def. East Lyme 1-0; 2001 lost to Ledyard 2-0; 1996 def. joel Barlow 3-1; 1995 lost to Daniel Hand 5-1; 1994 lost to Bethel 3-0; 1992 def. Wilton 1-0 (OT); 1986 def. Avon 3-1; 1982 def. Waterford 2-1; 1979 def. Suffield 2-1; 1974 def. Guilford 1-0; 1973 lost to Guilford 1-0.
Class L: #17 Branford vs. #11 Avon (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Branford: 1st appearance.
Avon: 15th appearance, 7-7 overall. 2012 lost to Farmington 5-0; 2011 lost to Bunnell 3-0; 2004 lost to North Branford 2-0; 2000 def. Lewis Mills 3-2; 1999 lost to Rocky Hill 2-1; 1995 lost to RHAM 2-1; 1990 lost to Joel Barlow 2-1; 1989 def. Joel Barlow 3-2; 1988 def. Stonington 2-1; 1987 def. Waterford 2-0; 1986 lost to Farmington 3-1; 1985 def. Brookfield 3-1; 1984 def. Joel Barlow 2-0; 1976 def. Middletown 3-0.
Class M: #11 Tolland vs. #8 Ellington (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Tolland: 2nd appearance, 1-0 overall. 2009 def. Granby Memorial 2-1.
Ellington: 9th appearance, 4-4 overall. 2013 lost to Suffield 2-0; 2008 def. Granby Memorial 5-1; 2007 def. East Catholic 3-2; 2003 lost to North Branford 2-0; 1990 lost to Windsor Locks 1-0; 1989 lost to Granby Memorial 7-0; 1972 def. Coventry 2-0; 1971 def. Rocky Hill 2-1.
Class S: #7 East Hampton vs. #1 Somers (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
East Hampton: 5th appearance, 0-4 overall. 2005 lost to Granby Memorial 1-0; 1968 lost to RHAM 2-1; 1965 lost to Washington; 1959 lost to Hale Ray 4-3.
Somers: 6th appearance, 4-1 overall. 2012 lost to Bloomfield 3-2; 2011 def. Litchfield 7-1; 2010 def. Valley Regional 3-1; 2008 co-Champions vs. Old Lyme 2-2; 2004 def. Northwest Catholic 4-3 (2OT).
Girls Soccer:
Class LL: #6 Fairfield Warde vs. #1 Glastonbury (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Fairfield Warde: 2nd appearance, 1-0 overall. 2007 def. Farmington 1-0.
Glastonbury: 9th appearance, 1-7 overall. 2012 lost to Newtown 2-1; 2011 def. Trumbull 2-1; 2009 lost to Westhill 2-1; 2000 lost to Simsbury 2-1; 1999 lost to Trumbull 1-0; 1996 lost to Trumbull 2-0; 1991 lost to Windsor 1-0; 1983 lost to Simsbury 3-0.
Class L: #6 Immaculate vs. #4 Avon (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Immaculate: 12th appearance, 9-1 overall. 2012 def. Portland 5-0; 2011 def. Litchfield 3-0; 2010 def. Morgan 1-0; 2009 co-Champions vs. Old Lyme 1-1; 2008 def. St. Bernard 2-0; 2006 co-Champions with Cromwell 0-0; 2005 def. St. Bernard 3-0; 2004 def. Old Lyme 4-0; 2003 def. Tourtellotte 4-0; 1996 lost to Rocky Hill 1-0; 1995 def. Old Lyme 2-1.
Avon: 10th appearance, 5-4 overall. 2012 def. Masuk 1-0; 2011 def. Farmington 2-1; 2010 lost to RHAM 2-1; 2009 lost to New Canaan 1-0; 2003 def. Joel Barlow 2-1; 2002 def. Waterford 2-0; 2001 def. Lauralton Hall 1-0 (2OT); 2000 lost to Suffield 1-0; 1990 lost to Ellington 2-1.
Class M: #20 East Catholic vs. #14 Weston (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
East Catholic: 1st appearance.
Weston: 5th appearance, 3-1 overall. 1994 def. Tourtellotte 1-0; 1991 def. Woodstock Academy 2-0; 1989 def. Tolland 1-0; 1988 lost to Granby Memorial 1-0.
Class S: #29 Portland vs. #3 Housatonic Regional (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Portland: 3rd appearance, 1-1 overall. 2013 co-Champions vs. Old Saybrook 0-0; 2012 lost to Immaculate 5-0.
Houastonic Regional: 1st appearance.
Girls Volleyball:
Class LL: #2 Darien vs. #1 Cheshire (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Darien: 18th appearance, 16-1 overall. 2012 def. Cheshire 3-0; 2010 lost to East Lyme 3-0; 2009 def. Farmington 3-0; 2008 def. Torrington 3-0; 2007 def. Bristol Eastern 3-0; 2006 def. Jonathan Law 3-2; 2005 def. Seymour 3-1; 2004 def. Jonathan Law 3-0; 2003 def. Jonathan Law 3-0; 2002 def. New Canaan 3-0; 2001 def. St. Joseph 3-0; 1999 def. New Fairfield 3-0; 1998 def. New Fairfield 3-2; 1996 def. Bunnell 3-2; 1995 def. Bunnell 3-1; 1994 def. E.O. Smith 3-0; 1993 def. Guilford 3-0.
Cheshire: 11th appearance, 6-4 overall. 2013 def. Staples 3-1; 2012 lost to Darien 3-0; 2007 def. New Milford 3-0; 2004 lost to Bunnell 3-2; 1999 lost to New Britain 3-2; 1998 def. New Britain 3-1; 1997 lost to Foran; 1976 def. Weston; 1974 def. Weston.
Class L: #2 RHAM vs. #1 Farmington (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
RHAM: 7th appearance, 5-1 overall. 2013 RHAM def. Farmington 3-2; 2011 lost to East Lyme 3-0; 2010 def. Joel Barlow 3-1; 2009 def. Joel Barlow 3-0; 2008 def. Jonathan Law 3-0; 2007 def. Joel Barlow 3-0.
Farmington: 11th appearance, 7-2 overall. 2013 lost to RHAM 3-2; 2009 lost to Darien 3-0; 1979 def. Weston; 1974 lost to Maloney; 1972 def. Simsbury; 1970 def. Milford; 1969 def. Staples; 1968 def. Staples; 1967 def. Woodstock Academy; 1966 def. Hamden.
Class M: #3 St. Joseph vs. #1 Granby Memorial (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
St. Joseph: 7th appearance, 5-1 overall. 2001 lost to Darien 3-0; 1997 def. E.O. Smith 3-2; 1992 def. Foran 3-0; 1991 def. New Fairfield 3-2; 1989 def. Platt 3-0; 1984 def. Branford 3-1.
Granby Memorial: 1st appearance.
Class S: #2 Seymour vs. #1 Haddam-Killingworth (click here for roster/information sheet) (click here for live stream)
Championship History:
Seymour: 2nd appearance, 0-1 overall. 2005 lost to Darien 3-1.
Haddam-Killingworth: 8th appearance, 1-6 overall. 2007 lost to Coventry 3-0; 2006 lost to Coventry 3-0; 2004 lost to Coventry 3-2; 1997 lost to Morgan 3-1; 1994 lost to Morgan 3-0; 1993 lost to Morgan 3-0; 1991 def. Morgan 3-0.
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