New School Claims First League Title After Shootout Victory

Lakeview field hockey secured its first Berkshire League tournament title on Tuesday after a 1-1 tie with Nonnewaug went to penalty strokes.

The Bobcats, who opened their program in fall 2024, finished the season with a 12-5-1 record. Their opponents, Nonnewaug, entered the final as the No. 1 seed and defending champions with a 13-2-3 record.

Nonnewaug took an early lead with 5:28 remaining in the first quarter. Catherine Viveros scored the goal, assisted by Lila Farrelly. Lakeview failed to convert chances before halftime and remained scoreless until the third quarter.

With 12:50 left in the third quarter, Christina Barone scored to tie the game 1-1. Barone won possession of the ball before finishing the play. Head coach Ashley LaBonte noted that the team’s primary objective was to score once because Nonnewaug goalie Fiona Scozzafava had not allowed a goal against a Berkshire League opponent prior to this match.

Scozzafava recorded 22 saves in the loss. Lakeview goalie Kylie Reynolds made 19 saves, with Piper Reliham adding one. The teams failed to separate in the fourth quarter and during the first 10-minute overtime period.

In the second overtime, Barone had two scoring opportunities. Scozzafava saved one attempt, while the other went wide. The match proceeded to penalty strokes.

Rowan Kinsella converted the decisive stroke for Lakeview. The referee initially called back her first attempt due to goalie interference, forcing a retake. Kinsella scored on the second try. Brooke Hurlburt also converted for Lakeview, while Viveros scored for Nonnewaug. The final penalty stroke count stood at 2-1 in Lakeview’s favor.

Kinsella told coach LaBonte before the shootout that she did not want to take the stroke because she was nervous. LaBonte encouraged her, telling Kinsella, “Yes, you can do this. I have faith in you.” Kinsella described the moment as a blackout. She looked up, shot, and saw the ball in the goal.

Reynolds admitted to feeling nervous before the shootout, noting she had never faced one before. She said, “Nonnewaug’s a very strong team, but I was ready.”

In their two regular-season meetings, the teams drew 0-0 on Sept. 11. Nonnewaug won their second matchup 4-0 on Oct. 1. Lakeview will begin the Class S tournament as the No. 7 seed on Tuesday, Nov. 10, hosting No. 10 Stonington at 3:30 p.m. Nonnewaug will enter the Class M tournament as the No. 8 seed, hosting No. 9 E.O. Smith at 2 p.m. on the same day.