Preston Lambeth, Reporter
@PLambethCourant
It all started in the fall of 2017. A group of determined 5th-grade girls from New Canaan won the CT Cup, a victory that planted the seeds of a dream. Fast forward to 2024, and six of those girls, now experienced seniors, joined their teammates to make history, capturing New Canaan’s first-ever FCIAC Championship win.
The final game was a nail-biter. Tied after regular time, the battle stretched through double overtime, forcing the championship into penalty kicks. The pressure was on, but Senior Captain Sydney Patten kept her cool, taking the decisive kick that shattered St. Joe’s 57-game winning streak and sent New Canaan into a frenzy of celebration.
Senior Captain Chrysi Gabriel’s victory was unforgettable: “Our win against St. Joe’s meant everything,” Chrysi said. “They’d beaten us for years, and we’d lost to them earlier in the season. Coming back to win when it mattered most felt like an incredible accomplishment. I’ll never forget that feeling.”
Her co-captain, Senior Ceci Patterson, echoed this sentiment, calling the win a defining moment for the team. “Going into that game, we knew we could beat them if we played our best. That game brought our team together and showed us what we could achieve when we believed in each other,” Ceci said.
Another pivotal point in the season was the Rams’ rematch against Staples in the FCIAC semifinals. “Our first game of the season was against Staples, and we lost. Coming off a few scrimmage losses, we weren’t sure how our season would unfold,” Sydney said. “But after that game, we were motivated like never before. Facing them again in the semifinals and winning was huge for us—it gave us the confidence we needed heading into the championship.”
Overall, the Rams finished the season with an impressive 12-3-1 record, claiming second place in Fairfield County.
Reflecting on the season, Sydney pointed to perseverance as the essential quality that pushed them to new heights. “The key to our success this season was perseverance,” she said. “We knew every team would be tough competition, and we had to fight as hard as we could to succeed. Even when we faced setbacks, that determination kept us moving forward.”
For Chrysi, it was the tight-knit nature of the group that made the difference. “Our team bond was everything,” she said. “We’ve spent countless hours together at dinners, practices, games, and on buses. Having such a close relationship meant we were there for each other, even in tough times, and when we had a loss, it just motivated us to play better. Going into the FCIAC tournament, we faced two teams we’d previously lost to, but we drew strength from each other to come out on top.”
Leadership from the captains helped sustain the team’s focus and drive, especially during challenging matches. Sydney was deeply motivated by the opportunity to lead in her final season. “A team like this, made up of exceptional players, doesn’t come around often. Knowing how special it was to be all together pushed me to remind everyone of our potential,” she said. “Keeping everyone motivated came down to making each player feel valued, and we approached each game with the same mindset: to do our best together.”
Chrysi emphasized the importance of leading by example. “Having a positive attitude, especially as a captain, is vital to success. We all make mistakes, but as leaders, we tried to show that we could pick ourselves up. We pushed each other to keep going and always gave our best effort.”
Ceci attributed much of the team’s success to their experienced players. “We have a lot of multi-sport athletes who have been in championship games before, and that experience helped us handle the pressure,” she said. “We focused on building team chemistry and letting everyone have fun, which made a big difference in our performance. We trusted each other and knew we had each other’s backs.”
The Rams’ underdog mindset was instrumental in helping them handle the pressure of being a top contender. “We knew we were underdogs going into the season and had nothing to lose,” Sydney said.
“We played with that mentality throughout, and even before the championship, we thought about giving it everything without fear.” Chrysi said, “Having nothing to lose allowed us to focus on playing for each other and the love of the game. We pushed each other and didn’t worry about the pressure; we just went out there and gave it our all.”
The Rams’ 2024 season will be remembered not just for their achievements on the field but for the bonds, leadership, and resilience that propelled them to victory.
