Page 242 - WHS FH 2014 Memory Book - Megan Cunningham

meet those expectations, she's good about telling them what they need to do to improve in order to get a lot of
playing time and get a starting position."

Godin, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Lauralton Hall in last year's state championship
game, said this season was different just getting adjusted to their younger teammates at the start but now there's
chemistry between all the players on the team. "Throughout the season we developed very well so we have a
great team this year with different talents compared to last year," she said. "It makes us feel great that we see
them stepping up."

In addition to Campbell, Hynes said she's been pleased with the development of freshman back Jess Hendry,
sophomore center back Meredith Rappaport, and sophomore forward Bridget Ward. Junior goalie Amanda
Hendry, sister of Jess and former Warrior standout Madison, is in her first year as a starter yet was a back-up in
the past to Lizette Roman-Johnston. Junior midfielders Jillian Mahon and Maddie Duffy are also in their first
years as starters.

With the influx of young and inexperienced talent, that's what makes this run to the state championship game
for the Warriors so unique, Hynes said. "For a lot of them, this is their first time (playing for a championship),"
she said. "If it's not their first time it's their first-time playing quality minutes. This is probably more of a special
run to them because they are playing solid minutes. It's another perspective."

The perspective for the quartet of seniors is they would like nothing better than to cap their high school careers
having not lost a state tournament game, but they know it won't be easy. "We're all just really excited,"
Cunningham said. "I know in the past they've always been good competition. It's going to be a good challenge,
so we'll see how we come out of it." Taverna said a turning point for the team was a regular-season loss to
Greenwich and that helped them move forward. "After that we really came together," she said. "We hadn't lost
before that so it made us realize that it can happen. We need to step up to reach our potential."
The Warriors defeated the Tigers 2-1 in last year's semifinals and the two teams played for the 2006 state
championship with Wilton coming out ahead 2-0.

Hynes said second-seeded and SCC champion Hand (19-2-1-0) is similar to Lauralton in that it's also a big-
hitting and aggressive team so Tuesday's semifinal game against the Crusaders was good preparation for top-
seeded Wilton (17-3-1-0). "We'll be ready, and it works to our advantage," she said.

Wilton is lucky to feature several different players who can find the back of the cage such as Cunningham,
Godin, Baxendale, Duffy, Campbell, and Ward. Defensively, Rappaport is playing as well as anybody right
now while she receives support from Jess Hendry and Taverna and Amanda Hendry quietly gets the job done
between the pipes.

"We all have to be on the same page and adapt to what Daniel Hand brings to Saturday's game," Hynes said.
"Which team is more mentally prepared will be the big test."

Cunningham also exemplifies the ideal of growing into the prototypical Wilton player. The senior standout first
burst onto the scene and made an impact as a freshman when she assisted on Valentina Tudesco's game-winning
goal that ended a long losing streak against Darien. She is the lone player to be on roster for all four state
championship teams and that significance isn't been lost on the senior forward. "It feels amazing," she said.
"I've been able to play with a whole bunch of different players, completely different teams. For three years
we've had the same outcome, which was great, and we're hoping for a fourth. I think this team is amazing and
even though it's a young one it has the skill to do it."

NOTES: Wilton is vying for its sixth overall state championship, having won in 1976, 2006, 2011-2013. Hand
is still in search of its first state championship having finished runner-up four times previously (1998, 2005,
2006, 2010). ... Wilton is trying to match Branford (1988-1991) for most consecutive state crowns, although
Branford tied Pomperaug for the title in 1989. ...Baxendale plans to play field hockey in college at the
University of Maine. ...The game will be at Cottone Field at Wethersfield High School at 2:30 p.m.