Deja Vu As Ridgefield Repeats As Girls Soccer Champions [VIDEO]

WEST HAVEN, CT — On Nov. 18, 2017, Ridgefield High School won its first girls soccer state championship by downing Staples 2-1 at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. Exactly a year later, the two teams returned to that field to square off in a rematch for the Class LL title.

The results were similar, as the Tigers held off a furious Staples attack in the closing moments to prevail 1-0 and repeat as state champions.

Despite being outplayed by the Wreckers for the majority of the first half, Ridgefield got on the board first with 7:53 remaining before halftime when Megan Klosowski converted a corner kick by Fatih Arnold, tallying what turned out to be the only goal of the contest.

Arnold had a great scoring chance with about 10 minutes left in regulation time, breaking in close to the Staples goal, but her shot missed just wide to the right.

Tiger goalkeeper Lauren Castle, meanwhile, was spectacular throughout, coming up with several clutch saves. None was bigger than a diving stop she made under intense Staples pressure in the game's final minute, cementing her selection as the championship game's Most Outstanding Player.

Staples was attempting to win its first championship since 1989.

See the game's final moments, Ridgefield's victory celebration and an interview with head coach Iain Golding below.

Photo and video credits: Tim Jensen

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