Stamford FC 2013 Girls Do it Again: Win Connecticut Cup

Following a championship in the Spring Connecticut Cup, five months later the Stamford FC 2013 Girls Soccer Team did it again, winning the Fall Connecticut Cup. This team is now the most decorated girls’ team in the fifty years of Stamford Youth Soccer. For good measure, the team also won the CT Regional Academy League, in their first season playing at the Premier level.

To have this much success, a team needs to be hitting on all cylinders. Incredibly, Stamford did not concede any goals in the five CT Cup games. Samantha ‘Sammi’ Merchant has now won two CT cups as a goalie. In addition to her always outstanding performance on the field, Sammi is great at communicating with her backline featuring Sophia Shymun, Maya Ladd, and Nia Gizicki. Sophia, Maya, and Nia have been playing together since 2020. Because they are so stingy, they allow the offense to be more aggressive.

The CT Cup got off to a great start in early May. A comfortable win at South Windsor featured an early goal by Anika Hall, a great moment after missing the Spring CT Cup Final due to injury. Versatile Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Olivera capped off the scoring with one of the most beautiful goals of the Cup. Laura Caffer and Paige Vetere impressed in their CT Cup debut. The second match was a win at home vs Westport.

The third match was a highly anticipated rematch of the Spring CT Cup Final vs Simsbury, one of the strongest teams in the state. After a very competitive start, Stamford jumped out front with a goal by Bailee Wahren. Early in the second half, Sophia made an alert defensive save to preserve the lead. Towards the end of a game, a dramatic goal by Giuliana ‘Gigi’ Pirri sealed the game. Aviana Pirri added on a third goal for good measure. Stamford passed a big test in the 3-0 win.

The semifinal was against another rival, Southington. It was the fourth time these clubs met in a CT Cup. Kaia Torres-Maginot got Stamford off to a great start creating a clutch goal individually dispossessing the opponent and scoring on a breakaway. Following a goal by Gigi to make it 2-0, reliable goal scorer Addison ‘Adie’ Barnes finished Southington off with another goal of her own. It was the third straight CT Cup semifinal where Adie scored a key goal.

The CT Cup Final was against long-time rival Darien. It was a guarantee the game would be intense. Early on, Stamford kept the pressure on, and Maya thwarted an early opportunity Darien had. As always, Samara Guttman and Giuliana DiPietro, were on the top of their games making sure the ball rarely got past midfield. Twenty-five minutes into the game DiPietro found Aviana who hit an incredible strike over the goalie’s head to give Stamford a 1-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, after Adie was able to fight for the ball and get it to Bailee, Bailee got past defenders and scored to provide a small cushion. With 10 minutes left, following another great ball by Alexa Hughes, Bailee went down the right sideline and fired a shot from the right corner that hit the post. Sofia Marenco, who was putting pressure on all game, got the rebound and scored a CT Cup- sealing goal. Incredibly, all three goals Stamford scored with the opposite foot, a sign of the team’s well-roundedness. When the whistle blew, another euphoric celebration ensued.

This Stamford team led by head coach Brian Coronado and assistant coach Jaden Alday is very close. Many of the players are long-time players on the club creating a strong bond. Newcomers have earned their way on to the team and have fit right in, helping put an overall formidable team over the top in 2025. The team hopes to do many more special things in the future. They will spend the Winter and Spring preparing for Eastern Regionals.

Tony Crocco, Stamford FC’s girls Coaching Director said this about the team: “What this group has achieved is truly special. Winning the CT Cup in back-to-back seasons and capturing the Regional Academy League title reflects the standard of excellence we strive for at Stamford FC. It speaks to the players’ commitment, the quality of our coaching, and the strength of our developmental pathway. Their success is a reflection of their growth, our coaches’ guidance, and the supportive families who make it all possible. This success inspires the entire program and sets a benchmark for the next generation of Stamford FC players.”