Dazzling debut! Notre Dame HS girls' soccer squad stuns West Haven in historic opener
Updated: 11 minutes ago
By Rick Menning
WEST HAVEN, CT -- One sophomore and fourteen freshmen comprising Tuesday's opening-day roster of the first-ever Notre Dame High School girls' soccer team gathered for a pre-game meeting in the outfield of the West Haven High School softball field.
With the Blue Devils' football team winding down its practice on the main field at Ken Strong Stadium, Head Coach Rodrigo Silva and his players took advantage of arriving early to huddle together and reflect on the moment before heading over to the pitch for their historic opening game.
Having previously fine-tuned their abilities with a scrimmage, the girls were reminded by Silva that it was now time to reap the benefits of all the hard work they had put into polishing their skills over the summer.
"I wanted them to just match up with the physicality and intensity of the varsity game," Silva said after the Green Knights gave it all they had over the 80 minutes and came away with a sensational 3-1 victory over West Haven.
The win was monumental in that it came in their very first varsity game and also their debut as a Notre Dame girls' soccer team.
"The girls gave it 100 percent...(this season) they are playing varsity games against girls who are two and three years older than them and today they rose to the challenge."
The challenge now, Silva continued, is to maintain that focus and willpower throughout the 2026 campaign.
"I believe technically this team can compete with any opponent," he noted. "It will take a lot of work but I'm proud for the first step they have taken, and I hope the girls can have a great season with great experiences and great memories."
Indeed, one would not have faulted this brand-new Notre Dame varsity sports team if the emotions of this historic day got the better of them. However, after walking over to the artificial turf pitch and warming up prior to the 5 p.m. start, the girls showed no signs of nerves.
In fact, it was quite the opposite.
They went through their pre-game drills with a sense of purpose and there were plenty of smiles to go around in keeping things light and upbeat.
Setting the tone from the outset
Over the first 10 minutes or so of the action, it became increasingly obvious that the hosts from West Haven High School were in for a battle against the determined visitors from the School on the Hill.
Settling in with precision and speed, the Notre Dame road warriors were much the aggressors and combined their skillful passing and footwork to gain the upper hand in the early stages of the first half.
The Notre Dame girls were relentless in their pursuit of the ball and showed great effectiveness in creating high-percentage scoring chances on their numerous rushes into the offensive zone.
After strong pressure in the West Haven end, Gianna Deloughery recorded the historic first shot on goal with a strike to the right side that was barely knocked away by the Blue Devils' keeper.
A defining score and lifetime thrill
Then, 16 minutes into the game, freshman Ariel Titus completed an explosive run through West Haven defenders with a low liner into the back of the net.
The first goal in Notre Dame High School girls' soccer history was a reality as Titus was mobbed by her teammates on the way back to midfield.
"I feel accomplished," said Ariel, who was able to finish her rush with a precision one-timer. "It was great to be able to go forward and score and bring the team to victory."
The Green Knights continued to hit the scoresheet with two more goals in the first half, including another from close range by Titus with 20 seconds remaining before the intermission.
"We have a strong mentality as a team. Coming into this game, we just told ourselves to try our best," Ariel said. "Today we pushed hard and we fought the entire time."
Seven minutes after Titus' historic shot, freshmen Izybella Burwell sent a rising rocket from 30 yards out that sailed high and accurately over the keeper's head. The shot hit the top of the back netting for the 2-0 advantage. Then, Titus' score before the buzzer made it 3-0.
Burwell's tally was especially impressive since she had battled her way past two West Haven midfielders trying to steal the ball, and she took advantage of a clear opening to launch one on target.
"My mindset is to play to win, play fast and look for the best shot when I can take it," Burwell said. "I like to play aggressive and take what the other team gives me in space and time. In that (situation), I saw the chance to shoot and I just went for it."
Burwell likes the Green Knights' chances to be successful in their inaugural varsity girls' soccer season.
"We all come from different clubs and different places, but we play together and we know that's what it takes to win at (the varsity) level," Izybella said "We know we have the talent to succeed and we just have to take that into every game."
West Haven did break through with a goal midway through the second half but after that Notre Dame freshman goalie Morgan Hotchkiss shut the door to complete a great day between the posts.
Morgan was quick to credit those in front of her for keeping the need to make saves to a minimum.
"My defense was so good," she said. "The girls were all playing so hard; they were getting back whenever (West Haven) had rushes and so I really didn't have to face a lot of shots today."
Midfield, 'D' halt Blue Devils rushes
The defense in front of her was indeed fortress-like as Khaleesi Veronesi Noriega and Hailey Hotchkiss had numerous effective kicks out of the danger areas.
And in the midfield area, Burwell was non-stop in her pursuit of every loose ball and her ability to weave through traffic and find her forwards excelled the entire 80 minutes of action. Fellow captains Hana Diakhate and Katelyn McKenzie also played super all-around games as did the entire squad.
ND girls' soccer opening-day roster
Participants in the Green Knights' historic contest against West Haven included (in alphabetical order) Izybella Burwell, Gianna Deloughery, Hana Diakhate, Ava DiCairano, Lilliana Furtak, Kendall Gilchrist, Graycen Golembeski, Hailey Hotchkiss, Morgan Hotchkiss, Isabella Idrovo, Sophia Lupone, Katelyn McKenzie, Khaleesi Veronesi Noriega, Maria Valentina Silva and Ariel Titus. The head coach is Rodrigo Silva, and the assistant coaches are Briana Geloso and Ariana Geloso.
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