Northwest Catholic hosted Lewis Mills in West Hartford on Tuesday, looking for redemption against a team which they lost to earlier in the season.

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Northwest Catholic girls soccer hosted Lewis Mills on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 in West Hartford for the final game of the regular season. The Lions looked for redemption after losing in Burlington earlier in the season. Both teams were also looking to improve their state tournament seeding with a win.

The Lions came out strong, pressuring the Spartans defense and forcing a corner kick just two minutes into the game. Mya Montoney placed the corner kick near the post and Allie Loveless connected with the ball first time to give the keeper no chance, putting the Lions up 1-0.

The game was back and forth for the remainder of the first half with both teams looking for their moments. Lewis Mills star Lilian Castle received a yellow card early in the first half for fouling Northwest’s goalkeeper, Abby Casper.

Maeve Staunton and Loveless controlled the midfield to create several offensive chances for the Lions.

Northwest Catholic’s freshman starters Olivia Roberts and Emma Ahlstrand have continued to grow confidence throughout the season and it especially showed today with several big stops on defense. Due to injuries earlier in the season, Roberts changed roles from midfield to center back, teaming up with Maisie Boucher which has been one of the team’s contributing factor to their success.

Just seven minutes into the second half the Lions won another corner kick. This time it was taken by Loveless with a perfect cross to the near post. Samantha Casper always finds a way to score in big games and that did not change Tuesday. She screened the goalie perfectly and was able to get her body onto the ball to finish and put Northwest up 2-0.

Lewis Mills did not give up, and two minutes later sent a long ball into the box to give Castle a breakaway opportunity, finishing and bringing the game back in reach at 2-1.

Northwest dropped in an extra player to help the defense deal with the late pressure. Ashlyn Sklenka, who has been outstanding this season shutting down the opposing midfield’s attack, dropped in defense to help support Boucher and Lilyan Johnson fend off late chances and close out the game. Boucher made a few distinguishing plays throughout the game, stealing the ball on defense and seemingly breaking down the whole Spartans team to create offensive chances for the Lions.

Lewis Mills had their chances late with free kick attempts that they could not capitalize on. Staunton and Loveless played both sides of the ball for the remainder of the game, getting back on defense to help contain the press while still taking space upfield to control the game.

Madeline Rudy and Samantha Casper pressured the Spartans’ defense throughout the game, not allowing them to get comfortable.

With the win, Northwest Catholic (11-4-1) moves up to the 12 seed for the Class M State tournament and Lewis Mills (13-3-0) finishes with the No. 8 seed. Both teams will have a first round home game which are played on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 or Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. The Lions will also travel to Newington on Thursday for a CCC Tournament game.

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