Bulldogs march their way into Class S final

Rich Zalusky, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Nov. 18—WATERBURY — The final seconds ticked off the clock and there was longtime coach Mark Morello — in his 34th season — pumping his first — while his team ran jubilantly on the pitch at Municipal Stadium.

The hugs followed with his assistant coaches and athletic trainer Anna Bergeron.

And then there were the tears. Tears that were still streaming with all the emotion just pouring out.

" I can't talk," Morello said. " The kids ... they answered the call."

Answer they did and in the process made some program history to boot.

Top- seeded Lyman Memorial ( 19- 1- 1) will play for the Class S state championship following a 3- 1 semifinal win in double overtime on Wednesday night over No. 20 seed Portland (9-8-2).

The last time the Bulldogs had advanced to the semifinals was in 2006.

" Coach said this is the team that is going to make history," freshman Emily McKelvey said. " I mean, I hope he's right. This is the first time Lyman's ever gone this far. Going to the state finals. It's all just pretty fascinating."

Lyman will meet No. 2 East Catholic in the Class S final Sunday at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford at 1: 30 p. m. East Catholic (17-1-1) rallied for a 2-1 win over No.3 Thomaston in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

Lyman trailed 1- 0 at halftime — the goal from the Highlanders coming on a well- placed shot from Ava Malasek into the upperright corner — 6: 58 into the first half.

It stayed that way until with seven minutes, 51 seconds remaining — these ' Cardiac Kids' notched the equalizer on a goal from freshman Emily McKelvey.

McKelvey, moved up from her sweeper position to the front line in the second half, watched as a free kick was sent into the box before bouncing off a defender.

" I just happened to run on to it," McKelvey said. " I was able to get a touch on the ball, the defender fell and I just pulled it back across my body and shot it."

The shot — from about 10 yards on the left- hand side of the box — was placed perfectly over the head of Portland goalie Lauren Eckert.

It was a goal that Lyman Memorial athletic director Scott Elliott — watching from distance down in the corner from the Lyman Memorial bench — described as follows — 'That's how you stick a goal!'

McKelvey wasn't quite

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