The Chariho boys and girls soccer teams both achieved remarkable victories yesterday in the finals of the Piver Cup at Stonington High School. The Lady Chargers secured their third consecutive title, defeating the Westerly Bulldogs 3-1, while the boys’ team triumphed over Fitch 2-0, claiming their first-ever Piver Cup championship.
For the Chariho girls, it marked their fourth Piver Cup title overall and third straight win in the tournament. The game kicked off with an early goal just 13 minutes into the first half. However, Westerly responded before the halftime whistle, leveling the score 1-1 when Westerly capitalized on a defensive error to break through and score.
The match remained deadlocked until the 55th minute when Chariho struck again, breaking the tie with a skillful lob over the advancing Bulldogs' goalkeeper. Chariho sealed the win with a late goal, ensuring the 3-1 victory. This victory extended the Lady Chargers' dominance in the tournament while ending Westerly’s 16-game winning streak.
On the boys' side, Chariho’s 2-0 win over Fitch was historic, as it was their first time lifting the Piver Cup. Under the leadership of Coach Brian Williams, in his inaugural year at Chariho, the team played a strong defensive game, maintaining a 1-0 lead for most of the match. A last-second goal in the final two minutes cemented the victory for the Chargers, a special moment for Williams, who previously won the Piver Cup in 2022 as head coach of Westerly.
Earlier in the day, Stonington boys & girls teams swept the consolation games vs. Westerly & Fitch respectively.
The Piver Cup, held annually in honor of Stonington High School graduate Josh Piver, has become a cherished local tradition, celebrating the legacy of Piver, who tragically lost his life in the 9/11 attacks. This year, Chariho’s dual triumph in the boys’ and girls’ finals was a testament to the school’s continued success on the soccer field, marking a night of historic victories for the Chargers.