Mercy High School achieved an incredible victory in the CIAC Class LL girls’ soccer championship, winning 2-1 against St. Joseph High School with just one second left in the game.
The match, held at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, featured two strong teams with outstanding records.
Mercy, the second seed with a 15-0-1 record, faced top-seeded St. Joseph, who came into the game undefeated and had won three straight state titles.
St. Joseph started strong and put heavy pressure on Mercy’s defense.
Midway through the first half, St. Joseph’s senior captain, Alexa Pino, scored after a rebound off Mercy goalkeeper Emily Hickey.
This gave St. Joseph a 1-0 lead.
The Cadets kept up the pressure, coming close to scoring again with a shot that hit the crossbar and several other near-misses.
Despite this, Mercy held on and kept the score close heading into halftime.
In the second half, Mercy came out determined to fight back.
They created scoring chances early on, but it wasn’t until 11 minutes into the half that sophomore Molly Benson tied the game.
Benson scored a header off a corner kick from Laney Smith, which made it 1-1.
Both teams pushed hard for the next goal, with the pace of the game becoming faster and more intense.
St. Joseph came close to scoring again when Pino had a clear shot that went just over the goal.
Mercy also had opportunities, including a late attempt by senior Kaylee Benson that was stopped just short of success.
As the game neared its end, it seemed headed for overtime.
Then, in the final seconds, Molly Benson made the play of her life.
She passed the ball across the field to her sister Kaylee, who headed it back toward her.
With just one second left, Molly kicked the ball into the upper corner of the net, securing the championship for Mercy.
The stadium erupted in celebration, with Mercy players and fans overjoyed at the unexpected and dramatic win.
This victory was Mercy’s third state title in four years but their first in the Class LL division.
The team previously won Class M championships in 2021 and 2022, which shows its growth and ability to succeed against top competition.
Coach Marcus Harley praised the team’s determination and belief that the game wouldn’t be over until the final whistle.
“What did we just see??!! A game winner for Mercy! @CS_Pxp @sctop10
Incredible finish as Mercy defeats St. Joseph 2-1 in the Class LL Girls Soccer State Championship game. The decisive goal with just a tick left on the clock. Wow.@MercyMiddletown @MercyTigers @SJCadets… pic.twitter.com/FSJfgFYUxT
— CIAC Sports (@ciacsports) November 17, 2024
St. Joseph, aside from the loss, had an impressive season.
They entered the tournament undefeated and were looking for their fourth straight state title.
Their coach, Jack Nogueira, acknowledged the heartbreak of losing in such a dramatic way but reminded his players of all they had achieved, including nine state titles in eleven championship appearances.
Molly Benson, named MVP of the game, scored both of Mercy’s goals, including the miraculous last-second shot.
Her performance, along with her connection with her sister Kaylee in the final play, showed the teamwork and perseverance that defined Mercy’s season.
Emily Hickey, Mercy’s goalkeeper, also made several saves to keep her team in the game.
St. Joseph’s players fought hard, and their record over the past four years, including multiple state and league championships, remains a remarkable accomplishment.
Even in defeat, they showed why they are considered one of the best teams in Connecticut high school soccer.
This match will be remembered for years as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of sports.
Mercy’s dramatic win, capped by Molly Benson’s last-second goal, symbolizes hard work, teamwork, and the belief that anything is possible until the final moment.
It was a victory that showed the heart and determination of a team that never gave up and created a moment that will go down in history.
