Holy Cross girls soccer claims historic first title

The Holy Cross girls soccer team made history in more than
one way on Saturday at New Britain’s Veterans Stadium.

Not only did the 1-0 win over four-time defending Class S champion Lyme-Old Lyme give the Crusaders their first state title, it was also the first in
soccer — girls or boys — for a Waterbury school.

Devon Bushka scored the goal in the second half off of a Sophia Vescera
assist. The third-seeded Crusaders were outshot by the eighth-seeded Wildcats, 16-12, but with the way this team played defense and the way senior keeper Tori Schaffner stopped shots, only one shot had to go in. Bushka picked up the goal, and Holy Cross
took the win.

Schaffner tallied eight saves in the victory, the 20th of the season for the Crusaders (20-1-2). The win came in the final match for Holy Cross seniors Vescera, Schaffner, Alyssa Milburn and Carina Cornacchia.

Photo caption: Devon Bushka scored the lone goal for the Holy Cross girls soccer team in their 1-0 victory in Saturday’s Class S state final. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)