New Canaan’s defense absorbed pressure early and its attack delivered late, as the Rams defeated top-ranked St. Joseph 2–0 Tuesday night at Dunning Stadium. Behind second-half goals from freshman forward Giana Mazotas and senior Phoebe Schuh, the Rams closed the gap in the FCIAC standings and solidified their case as a postseason contender.
The match, a rematch of last season’s FCIAC final, began with the expected tension between two of the league’s best programs. St. Joseph entered the game ranked No. 1 in the Class LL/L coaches poll, while New Canaan stood at No. 4. For the first forty minutes, the Cadets controlled possession, forcing the Rams into a defensive posture and limiting their ability to build from the back.
Goalkeeper Larkin Celiberti, whose consistency has been a cornerstone of New Canaan’s season, kept the game scoreless with key stops during that first-half surge. St. Joseph’s Julia Nunes and Audrey Dickerson both found space near the top of the box but were denied by Celiberti’s positioning and timing. The Cadets’ inability to convert early chances foreshadowed the tactical shift that would define the second half.
After halftime, New Canaan’s adjustments were immediate and decisive. The Rams began winning 50–50 balls, closing passing lanes, and transitioning more effectively through midfielders Clare Greisen and Luciana Casey. The change in tempo pushed St. Joseph onto its heels for the first time.
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute. After a failed clearance by the Cadet defense, Mazotas reacted first, driving the loose ball into the back of the net to put New Canaan ahead 1–0. The goal marked another confident performance for the freshman, who continues to expand her role in a team filled with veterans.
Momentum fully shifted five minutes later. A corner kick by Greisen found its way into the crowded six-yard box, where Schuh pounced to double the Rams’ lead. The finish, born of persistence and awareness, effectively sealed the result against a St. Joseph side unable to generate sustained offense in the final third.
From there, New Canaan’s back line—anchored by Whitney Hoegstedt and Kathleen Langford—managed the clock with poise, clearing threats and maintaining composure under pressure. St. Joseph recorded just three shots after halftime, none on target, while the Rams produced eight, including both goals.
The 2–0 scoreline was not only a repeat of last year’s championship result but also a symbolic marker of New Canaan’s continued ascent. With the victory, the Rams improved to 9-1-2, pulling within a point of St. Joseph (now 11-2) in the FCIAC standings. With just three regular-season games remaining, including a critical meeting against Trumbull, the path to a top playoff seed remains firmly in New Canaan’s hands.
The Cadets, meanwhile, remain contenders for a fifth straight regular-season title but have little margin for error following consecutive losses to Trumbull and New Canaan. Tuesday’s result underscored their current struggle to finish chances despite dominating possession.
For New Canaan, however, the takeaway was clear: adaptability, not reputation, is driving this late-season surge. The Rams’ ability to recalibrate after a sluggish start demonstrated a maturity developed over months of training and competition. Their second-half cohesion—players connecting passes, anticipating space, and trusting one another in transition—reflected a team with depth beyond its stars.
Mazotas’ goal embodied the energy of youth; Schuh’s finish represented the steadiness of experience. Together, they formed the balance that teams need in October: fresh talent meeting seasoned leadership. As the postseason approaches, that combination may be New Canaan’s most valuable asset.