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Fairfield Prep Survives Shootout, Earns Soccer Title Berth

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield Prep soccer team held off a stunning 17 shots on goal from Greenwich in a scoreless regulation game and two overtime periods, but goalkeeper Will Steiner saved those and three others in the penalty kick period to lift Fairfield Prep to its first-ever trip to the state championship.

Photo Credit: Eric Gendron

Neither side scored in the first 100 minutes of play, but Prep came away with a 7-5 victory in the penalty kick period.

“It was unlucky for Greenwich, but sometimes that’s just the way the game happens,” Steiner said. “We’ve just been hoping for this moment our entire high school careers. It’s awesome, but we’ve still got work to do.”

The Jesuits had little luck on their side, as Greenwich clanged five shots off the post or the crossbar in the match.

It seemed the Cardinals would deal the deciding blow in the first overtime when a rebound off the post ended up right at the feet of Diego Guitierrez with nothing but open net in front of him. But Guitierrez pushed the shot just to the right of the net, preserving the scoreless tie.

Kieran Bracken netted the deciding goal in the penalty kick period, while another Guitierrez miss clinched the win for Fairfield Prep.

Steiner, David Bruton, Austin Sims, Nick Dosky and Chris Molina also had penalty kick goals for Fairfield Prep.

Prep pressed hard to open the game, coming up with four shots on goal. Greenwich then controlled possession and shots on goal for the entire second half and most of the two overtime periods. But it could not find the net.

Fairfield Prep, which has never played in a state championship game, will take on top-ranked Norwalk next week. The date, time and location of the title game has yet to be determined.

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