The Holy Cross boys soccer team competed in the program’s first state championship match since 1985 on Saturday, and it left everything it had at Veterans Stadium in New Britain.
Unfortunately for the Crusaders and their supporters, there was no back-to-back state championship celebration for the girls and the boys. The Holy Cross girls won their match, 1-0, over Lyme-Old Lyme in the first contest of the day in New Britain. The Crusader boys were up next. It took 110 minutes of play, but fifth-seeded Old Saybrook defended its 2018 title with a 3-1 overtime victory over third-seeded Holy Cross.
Both regulation goals came in the second half, with Chris Christiano tallying the equalizer for the Crusaders after they fell behind by a goal. The Rams scored a goal in each 15-minute portion of overtime to claim the victory.
Sophomore keeper Cameron Sivilla made 12 saves in a valiant effort for Holy Cross, which finished the season 17-4-2 after playing in the second state championship game in program history. The Class S final was the last match for Crusader seniors Medi Celiku, Aidan Nixon, Jack Villano, Brian Silva, Luciano D’Amelio, Christiano, Thomas Pompei, Randy Desaulniers and John Savage.
Photo caption: Brian Silva and his fellow seniors helped lead the Holy Cross boys soccer team to the program’s first state final since 1985. The Crusaders came out on the losing end after a tough overtime battle, 3-1. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
