The Conard girls soccer team hosted RHAM Thursday night in West Hartford.

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Elsie Dunnery controls the ball near midfield. Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

By Paul Palmer. Photos by Paul Palmer and Cole Schweiger

The last few seasons have been a struggle for the Conard girls soccer team. It looks like those days may be over with this year’s team that features not only soccer skills, but athleticism and more.

“We have track stars who can run and a lot of them play other sports,” said head coach PJ Louis. “This team this year believes in themselves and it is all about wanting to win for the team.”

Thursday evening, they faced RHAM in humid, damp conditions with the threat of rain throughout. The Red Wolves did not get off to the best start, and about 15 minutes in they paid the price for that. Morgan McCarthy struck a perfect, curling ball from about 35 yards from goal. It was directed toward the far, upper corner of Evelyn Black’s net, and that is just where it landed. There was nothing the Conard goalie could do except tip her cap to McCarthy for a perfect shot and a 1-0 lead.

Pressure from Jackie Capone forces Liana Fox to turn back. Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Conard’s offense would show signs of life as the first half went on. Paige Sweeney saw her shot from distance glance off the right post, and with 10 minutes to play a great ball was played in from the left wing only to be intercepted by a RHAM defender ahead of two Conard attackers.

Their efforts would pay off when junior Aubrey Korn sent a textbook through ball across midfield, beating the Raptor defenders and sending two Conard players in on goal. Goalie Mia Hall came off her line to challenge, but Maren McNamee chipped a beautiful 28-yarder over her head and into the empty net to tie things at 1.

Maren McNamee (1) celebrates after scoring Conard’s first goal Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

With 1:17 to play it was Brooklyn Knowles sending a ball down the right side. It would be crossed into the middle where Jackie Capone connected and ticketed it to the far corner, but Hall had the save of the game when she deflected it away.

RHAM managed some promising  possession in the second half, but the Conard midfield and defense were strong, limiting any dangerous scoring chances. At the other end, the Red Wolves kept pressing down both sides and through the middle. A misplayed ball by Hall was cleared before Conard could get a boot to it, but with 6:46 to go in the game, the host team would get the game winner.

RHAM goalie Mia Hall rushes to beat Conard’s Maren McNamee to the loose ball. Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Cait Walsh picked up a loose ball, and from a tough angle on the right side let a shot fly across the face of the RHAM goal and it floated into the back, far corner of the goal – capping off three spectacular goals between the two sides in the game.

Conard kept up the intensity at both ends of the field and managed to walk away with the 2-1 win. “At halftime we talked about winning the ball and  cutting down on mistakes,” Louis said. “We also changed up our formation later in the second half.”

Conard players celebrate Cait Walsh’s game winning goal. Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

With the win the Red Wolves move to 2-0-1 on the season and face E.O. Smith on the road on Saturday. “These kids have bought into the system, and it’s is all about team,” Louis said. “They are always on time to practice and want to be here.”

Goalie Evelyn Black, defender Brooklynn Knowles, and teammates celebrate the win. Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Conard coach PJ Louis goes over the changes at halftime. Conard vs. RHAM girls soccer. Sept. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

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