Sports
Bunnell Boys Soccer Win Class L State Championship
The team earns its first-ever state championship, beating Avon Saturday in a 3-0 shutout.
Bunnell High School boys soccer earned its first-ever state championship Saturday, beating Avon High School 3-0 in the Class L CIAC Championship.
"I'm so happy for my team and the whole town," Bunnell Coach James Ginand said after the historic victory. It was just a year ago when the Bulldogs lost in the state final. "They stepped it up and I couldn't be an happier."
The Most Valuable Player of the game went to senior striker Zachary Zurita, whose record-setting goals have led the Bulldogs all season long. Zurita netted Bunnell's second goal of the state final, which was held at Middletown High School Saturday afternoon.
On the defensive side of the game, both junior goalkeeper Christopher Fazekas and senior goalkeeper Sebastian Tamayo were impeccable between the posts, collecting over a dozen saves in the 3-0 shutout.
After a scoreless first half, Bunnell senior Freddie Metellus put the Bulldogs on the board with a free-kick goal about a minute into the second half. Minutes later, Zurita added number two on an assist from Robert Rivera.
The Avon Falcons could not keep up with the aggressiveness of the Bunnell Bulldogs, and a third goal by senior midfielder Isaias Montalvo sealed the win for the Stratford club.
"It was a great game for both teams and we excelled through it," Coach Ginand said. "We worked very hard this season and it paid off."
