Pictured: Morgan’s Steven Kinser pulls up as Portland keeper Zach Doncet leaves the net to smother a lead pass early in Monday’s Shoreline match in Portland. The Huskies beat the Highlanders 1-0. (Photo by Paul Augeri)
Morgan’s Matt Lopez converted a penalty kick in the 25th minute of Monday’s Shoreline Conference match, and the score stood for a 1-0 Huskies victory over host Portland.
The win was Morgan’s second in a row and sixth of the season against one defeat (versus Valley Regional). The Huskies have another big one coming up when they visit Old Saybrook on Thursday. The Rams improved to 4-0 with a 4-3 win over Valley on Monday.
“The game was hard fought and physical, very back and forth,” Morgan coach Ross Demay said. “We fought hard but should have finished some of our late opportunities to put the game away. Ethan Madura really stepped up defensively in the middle shutting down their two main players in (Brady) Talerico and (Caiden Hettrick-Rivera), preventing them to get quality shots.
“It was really like a chess match with both teams only getting a couple solid chances.”

Morgan outshot Portland 14-8 and keeper Bailey Goss had 4 saves in the shutout. Zach Doncet had 4 saves for the Highlanders, who lost for the first time in four matches. They return to action Wednesday at home against Valley Regional (5:30pm).
Around the county on Monday:
Haddam-Killingworth 1, Cromwell 0
Sophomore Cole Merriam scored with 25:26 left in the match to give the Cougars a key Shoreline win in Cromwell (4-2-1). Jack Straka had 4 saves in net as H-K (4-3-1) stopped the Panthers’ unbeaten streak at five.
Cougars coach Mike Mead was pleased to see his team rebound from a brutal 5-1 loss against Valley Regional.
“We had a hard time breaking Cromwell’s defense for a while there,” Mead said. “But I’m proud of the shutout and bounce back from our loss Saturday. Cole had a dream hit off a layoff from Ryan Lasusa. The last few minutes was all about stopping Cromwell pressing high trying to tie it up. It was a good game from both sides.
Donny Hermann finished with 2 saves for Cromwell.
Next Match: H-K hosts East Hampton, Thursday (3:45); Cromwell hosts Old Lyme, Thursday (3:45).
Old Lyme 2, Coginchaug 1
Highlights: Anders Silberg and Liam Celic scored for the Wildcats in their Shoreline win in Durham. Sam Whittle scored for Coginchaug on an assist from Andrew Fazzone-Chattier four minutes into the match. Jonah Lathrop had 4 saves for Old Lyme. Logan Bender had 7 saves for the Blue Devils.
Next Match: Coginchaug (1-3-1) hosts West Haven, Tuesday (3:45); Old Lyme (2-4-0) visits Cromwell, Thursday (3:45).
Girls Soccer
Coginchaug 9, North Branford 0
Highlights: Faith Corona had a hat trick, Katie Farr scored 2 goals and Sam Paul, Alyssa Woodward, Rachel Dills and Tiana DiLeone also tallied in the Blue Devils’ win in North Branford. Sophie Farr had 2 assists and Ally Woodward 1 North Branford keeper Ava Candelora finished with 26 saves.
Next Match: Coginchaug (5-0-1) hosts Hale-Ray, Friday (3:45); North Branford hosts Hale-Ray, Wednesday (6pm).
Volleyball
Coginchaug 3, Morgan 1 (25-15, 25-10, 26-28, 25-22)
Highlights: For Morgan, Courtney Vause had 8 digs and 14 service receptions; Julia Kelly had 3 kills and 3 digs; Maddie Davenport had 4 aces and 12 digs.
Next Match: Morgan (3-6) at Cromwell, Wednesday (5:30); Coginchaug (4-2) at North Branford (5:30).
Old Lyme 3, Norwich Tech 0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-10)
Highlights: For Old Lyme, Abby Speckhals had 15 assists; Abby Sicuranza contributed 6 kills and 4 aces; Maddie Thompson had 7 aces and 14 digs; and Melanie Warren had 14 digs.
Next Match: Old Lyme (5-3 overall, 4-3 Shoreline) hosts H-K, Wednesday (6:45).
Field Hockey
Morgan 2, Westbrook/Old Lyme 0
Highlights: Sophia Vigorito and Mary Minichino scored a goal each, with Lola Damiano assisting on both, to lift the Huskies (3-4-1). Jill DeMaio recorded the shutout in goal. W/OL is 2-5-0.
Next Match: Morgan visits H-K, Thursday (3:45); W/OL hosts Old Saybrook, Thursday (3:45).