Lyman and Bacon have no regrets

Gassed.
It's the best word to describe how the Lyman girls soccer team looked as it walked off the field Monday night after finishing in a 1-all tie with Nonnewaug in the Class M quarterfinals.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it wasn't over as they still had to endure a round of penalty kicks which went to the Chiefs, 3-2. That put Nonnewaug into the Class M semifinals opposite a member of their own Berkshire League, Lewis Mills.
"They were on fumes, but they went out there and did their best. I'm very proud of them," Lyman coach Mark Morello said.
The Bulldogs had to battle adversity all season long and the quarterfinals just brought more of it as one of their best midfielders, Julie Jahoda, tried, but just couldn't stay on the field due to illness.
"Julie was sick all day (Monday) and she gave us everything she could - about 10 or 15 minutes- but she shouldn't have been out here," Morello said. "The kids stepped up, it was a team effort out there, and I'm nothing but proud of the whole group."
Morello was in good company on Monday as the Bacon Academy squad had similar feelings after losing to Lauralton Hall, 3-0, in another Class M quarterfinal.
The loss finished Bacon's season at 16-2 and coach Christine Taylor, although disappointed by the loss, was satisfied with the season.
"I don't look at the season as a failure, we did a lot of good things," Taylor said. "We did the best with what we had to play against and with. It's just the game of soccer and the best team doesn't always walk off with a win."
The Lyman boys try to become the first team in the area to qualify for a state championship game this fall as they take on Somers in a Class S semifinal at Rocky Hill High School at 6 p.m.
Bundle up if you're going as temperatures are supposed to drop into the 20's and there may even be a breeze.
The Stonington girls field hockey team also shoot for a state championship berth as the Bears take on Granby at Sheehan High School at 4 p.m. in a Class S semifinal today.