High School Soccer: Kellenberg Claims First State Title in Four Decades
Olivia Gordon scored twice and added an assist as the second-seeded Firebirds defeated top-seeded St. Anthony’s 3-1 to end a 39-year championship drought.
By Adrian Kovalenko ·
High school soccer in New York State has produced many finals between rival programs, but the 2026 championship game at Adelphi marked a shift in the balance of power between two long-time competitors. Kellenberg defeated St. Anthony’s to claim its first NSCHSAA title since 1987, a victory that snapped a recent streak of losses in these specific matchups.
Olivia Gordon emerged as the decisive factor in the contest, recording two goals and one assist for the second-seeded Firebirds. Her performance earned her the game’s MVP honor and the league's player of the year award. Gordon, who is committed to play college soccer at Louisville, stated that the team had waited for this moment since her freshman year, noting that previous finals had ended in losses.
The match remained close through the opening half, with both teams trading advantages. Abby Woodruff opened the scoring for Kellenberg with a shot into the bottom-right corner. St. Anthony’s responded in the 29th minute when Ava Sloma tapped in a loose ball following a free kick by Caileen Reardon. Gordon restored the Firebirds' lead before halftime, heading in a corner kick from Erin Malley in the 39th minute.
Kellenberg extended its advantage late in the second half when Gordon converted a penalty kick with 12 minutes and 50 seconds remaining. The final score was 3-1. Center back Cassidy Durnan played a key role in slowing the opposing attack and was named the defensive player of the year by the NSCHSAA. Durnan noted that the entire 27-player roster shared the desire to win, emphasizing that the team had prepared for this opportunity throughout the season.
St. Anthony’s coach Scott Carey acknowledged that his squad, which finished with an 8-5-2 record, dealt with injuries throughout the year. He said the players stepped into open spots without missing a beat, demonstrating daily effort and resilience. Kellenberg, which finished 10-4-2, advances to the CHSAA state semifinals scheduled for Saturday at the College of Staten Island.
Coach Suzanne Sluka, who has coached Kellenberg for 20 years, said the team’s ability to overcome adversity in previous finals against St. Anthony’s paved the way for this victory. Gordon expressed confidence that the team will continue its run in the state tournament, stating that the group intends to take the competition as far as possible.
Source: Newsday
