HARTFORD – The Farmington boys soccer team won the state title in 2021. But the last two years, the River Hawks have exited early from the state tournament – both times in the first round, both times on penalty kicks.
Farmington has 16 seniors, and they remembered the state title from their freshman year and what it took to get there and how it felt to lose twice in the first round after that. They took that experience, rode it into the Class LL state championship game against Xavier and won, 3-1, at Trinity Health Stadium Sunday night. It was the 14th title for Farmington.
“The last two years were tough,” Farmington coach Nick Boorman said. “Losing in penalty kicks to Greenwich (in 2022), who won the state championship and losing in penalty kicks to Fairfield Prep last year – it was pain that these guys had to learn from and move forward.
“A lot of these guys have been through that in the last three years. The alumni from those teams were part of this, helping them win that, no question.”
Logan Drozd scores Farmington’s third goal, River Hawks lead Xavier 3-1 10:19 left #ctbsoc pic.twitter.com/e6rb9pUygx
— Lori Riley (@lrileysports) November 18, 2024
Senior midfielder Logan Drozd, an All-State player who battled knee injuries and other injuries this season, scored the River Hawks’ final goal in the second half and was named Most Outstanding Player.
“It was incredible,” Drozd said. “Coming back from the injuries, the knee surgery, this feels amazing.
“I won (a title) freshman year but I didn’t really feel like I earned it though. I’m just so happy to be with a great group of guys. Incredible game. Incredible season.”
Farmington, the seventh seed which finished at 17-2-4, tied No. 4 Xavier 1-1 earlier in the season.
“I think we improved so much throughout the season,” Boorman said. “We made drastic improvement.”
Junior Ian Manton scored first for Farmington, off a header, with seven minutes left in the first half and Christian Fierro followed that with another header with less than a minute in the half to give Farmington a 2-0 lead.
Diego Canalles put Xavier on the board with a goal with 26:57 left in the game, but Drozd gave the River Hawks an insurance goal with 10:19 left.
Junior goalkeeper Dante Fierro made four saves for Farmington.
“Farmington soccer is all about perseverance and team unity and high character,” Boorman said. “I couldn’t be more proud as a coach. These guys live up to everything we ask them to do.
“These are lifelong memories – win or lose. This is an amazing experience. Xavier was amazing tonight. Really hard-working team. But my guys were able to persevere til the end.”
