New Canaan, Ridgefield share FCIAC girls' soccer crown after scoreless tie

Written by Dave Stewart
Thursday, 05 November 2009 06:28

For 100 minutes Wednesday night in Norwalk, the New Canaan Rams and Ridgefield Tigers girls’ soccer team put on a competitive display which showcased the best the FCIAC has to offer.

And when the final horn finally sounded at the end of a second overtime, the Rams and Tigers were still deadlocked and this were declared FCIAC co-champions for 2009.

The Rams held a slight edge in shots, 10-9, but each opportunity was turned aside by the defenses.

New Canaan’s backfield of senior co-captains Freddie Kemp and Kacey Pippitt, senior Kelsey Durkin and freshman Kelly Armstrong did a great job limiting Ridgefield’s chances, while goalie Holly Burwick came up big numerous times and finished with nine saves.

The second-seeded Rams (14-1-3) and top-seeded Tigers (16-1-1) met in the regular season finale last Thursday at Tiger Hollow, and Ridgefield pulled away in the second half to win, 3-1.

This second meeting was a different story as the two teams played even for much of the game.

Many of the best scoring chances came in the first half and the Rams did find the back of the net in the 14th minute.

A free kick by Kemp from the left side went to the far post, where Pippitt headed it inside the right of the net. New Canaan appeared to have scored but an offsides call nullified the goal.

New Canaan kept the pressure on for most of the game, with strikers Caroline Murray and Liz Bruno, along with midfielders Clare Ashforth and Jana Persky generating many chances.

Each team hit the post on one occasion in the first half, as a shot by Murray glanced off the right post, while an attempt by Ridgefield’s Carolyn Sanderude hit the cross bar.

Both the Rams and Tigers will now head into their State tournaments, with Ridgefield playing in Class LL and New Canaan in Class L. Tournament brackets will be announced Friday, November 6.