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FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield Warde girls soccer team will enter the conference playoffs this weekend after enjoying one of its best seasons ever thanks in large part to the rock-solid presence of goalkeeper Katie Brennan.
With one game remaining in the regular season, the Mustangs’ keeper has allowed just seven goals — the fewest in the conference. Brennan began on an incredible hot streak, racking up nine shutouts in a row before allowing two goals to Ridgefield on Oct. 6. She raised her shutout total to 11 last week with a 2-0 victory over Westhill.
But Brennan is quick to praise the defenders in front of her, saying the shutout streak has been a total team effort.
“We didn’t want to get obsessed with the record, so when we did get scored on we didn’t think our season was over,” she said. “But it is nice to have those shutouts, especially for the team and defense. It’s something we’re all very proud of.”
Though Brennan praises her teammates, Warde head coach Tom Cunningham is not shy in saying what she has meant to the squad.
“Katie’s really stepped it up and played some big games for us,” Cunningham said. “She’s making big stops and big moments and doing a nice job working with our defense. She’s a leader back there.”
Brennan said Cunningham got her in the mindset to be so effective in net this season.
“We just go into each game fresh and just look at that one game,” she said. “That’s something Coach Cunningham really emphasizes. He just tells us to look at the 80 minutes we have to play. And that’s it.”
Fairfield Warde begins play in the conference tournament Saturday against an opponent to be determined.
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