The fall high school sports season in Connecticut officially commences today, featuring boys and girls soccer, field hockey, and other competitive events. This year’s season begins earlier than usual, running through mid-November. Several local teams are poised to defend their titles, while others aim to advance further after strong performances last year.
Boys Soccer: Title Defenders and New Aspirations
Farmington’s boys soccer team enters the season with high expectations, as they seek to defend their Class LL championship title. The River Hawks, featuring 18 seniors who secured the state championship in 2021, clinched another title last fall by defeating Xavier 3-1. Despite losing a substantial senior class, Farmington retains key players, including goalkeeper Dante Fierro and forward Ian Manton, who scored in the state final. Coach Nick Boorman expressed confidence in his team’s preseason performance, indicating they are beginning to gel. The River Hawks will face Xavier again in a rematch during the Connecticut High School Soccer Challenge on Saturday.
Tolland’s boys soccer team, fresh off winning the Class M championship, returns with a strong roster of 16 seniors. The Eagles defeated Weston 2-1 to claim their first title since 2015. While they lost Chris Adadjo, who assisted the game-winning goal in the final, his brother, Jon Adadjo, who scored that goal, is back along with goalkeeper Andrew Chater, known for his 11 shutouts last season. Coach Mike Caccomo emphasized the high expectations placed on the team, stating they must translate their talent into results on the field.
Hall, a perennial contender, has faced setbacks with the loss of key player Freddy Wright to an ACL tear. However, senior midfielder Diego Lemes remains a vital part of the team’s strategy as they prepare to face formidable opponents, including defending champions Tolland and Farmington.
Girls Soccer: Champions and Contenders
In girls soccer, the spotlight is on Mercy High School, which made headlines last year when junior Molly Benson scored a last-second goal to secure the Class LL title against St. Joseph. Despite the graduation of her sister—who assisted on that memorable play—Benson returns with four other starters, including senior goalkeeper Emily Hickey. Coach Marcus Harley noted that the team has shown promise in early competitions.
Northwest Catholic, which reached the Class M championship game last year, also seeks to improve this season. The team boasts eight returning seniors, including Maeve Staunton, who will continue her athletic career at UConn, and Abby Casper, a goalkeeper who plans to play basketball at Holy Cross. Their experience, combined with promising freshmen, positions Northwest Catholic as a strong competitor.
The competitive landscape is further enriched by Glastonbury’s girls soccer team, which is working under new coach K.C. Warren. Last season, they fell in the Class LL quarterfinals to Xavier, but the return of key players including center back Grayson Haskins provides a solid foundation for this year’s campaign.
Field Hockey and Other Fall Sports
Glastonbury’s field hockey team has consistently been a strong contender, but they face tough competition in the FCAIC conference. The Guardians return 14 players, although they will miss the skills of Addie Infante, who has moved on to UConn. Coach Maureen Perkins mentioned that senior Deirdre McKeirnan will be instrumental in leading the offense.
In cross country, Glastonbury’s Brian Collins returns as head coach after a brief retirement. The team won its sixth State Open title last year, and while they lost two-time champion Brooke Strauss to UConn, they have promising runners ready to rise. The girls cross country team at Mercy is also on the rise, having improved each year, with last year’s success culminating in a Class MM title.
Farmington’s girls volleyball team also enters the season with a championship mindset, having won the Class L title last year in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bristol Central. They return four starters, including Lauren Jones and Sydnie Smith, as they aim to defend their title.
As the fall sports season unfolds, the anticipation surrounding these teams and their aspirations for success continues to grow, promising an exciting few months ahead for Connecticut high school athletics.
