The Northwest Catholic High School girls soccer team will face Nonnewaug High School next week for a chance to reach the finals of the CIAC Class M tournament.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

Hope Meaney. Northwest Catholic High School secured a 4-1 victory over East Hampton Thursday, earning a spot in the upcoming semi-finals. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton. Submitted photos

The Northwest Catholic High School girls soccer team won a decisive quarterfinal match Thursday afternoon, defeating East Hampton, 4-1.

Junior captain Maeve Staunton was unassisted when she got the Lions on the board with a shot from the top of the box that went over the goalkeeper’s head. Staunton also scored the team’s third goal with a solo effort, dribbling past multiple players before knocking the ball into the net.

Junior Allie Loveless scored the second and fourth goals for the Lions. Her first was assisted by senior captain Hope Meaney, who delivered a low pass to the 18-yard line, where Loveless slammed it to the far post to score. Loveless’ second goal, a lefty finish, was unassisted.

With the win, the Lions move on to the semifinal round of the Class M tournament, where they will face 18th-seeded Nonnewaug High School. The CIAC has not yet announced the location, date, or time of the game, but it will take place between Nov. 12-14. The CIAC finals for all divisions of girls and boys soccer will be held at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on Nov. 16 and 17. Tolland and Lewis Mills play in the other Class M girls semifinal game.

Entering the 2024 tournament as a No. 19 seed, with a regular season record of 8-5-3, the Northwest Catholic girls played some tough matches prior to Thursday’s win, defeating No. 14 Daniel Hand 2-1 in double overtime in the first round, and on Monday knocking out No. 3 seed Bacon Academy in a penalty kick shootout in a game that remained a scoreless tie after regulation and two overtimes.

The Lions reached the championship game in 2022, lost to Mercy, 3-1. Northwest Catholic moved up to Class L in 2023, received a bye as a No. 2 seed, but lost to New Canaan in the second round.

Northwest Catholic High School secured a 4-1 victory over East Hampton Thursday, earning a spot in the upcoming semi-finals. Courtesy photo

Allie Loveless. Northwest Catholic High School secured a 4-1 victory over East Hampton Thursday, earning a spot in the upcoming semi-finals. Courtesy photo

Lilyan Johnson. Northwest Catholic High School secured a 4-1 victory over East Hampton Thursday, earning a spot in the upcoming semi-finals. Courtesy photo

Mya Montoney. Northwest Catholic High School secured a 4-1 victory over East Hampton Thursday, earning a spot in the upcoming semi-finals. Courtesy photo

Northwest Catholic High School secured a 4-1 victory over East Hampton Thursday, earning a spot in the upcoming semi-finals. Courtesy photo

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