Four Teams Win State Soccer Titles

Four soccer teams claimed state titles on Sunday at Rutland High School. The finals concluded with three separate victories in the Division One and Division Four brackets.

Mt. Mansfield girls defeated Burr and Burton 3-2 in the Division One final. This victory marks the program's first state championship since 2000. Freshman Ashlynn Barrett credited the team's resilience for the win. She noted that the squad maintained a never-give-up mentality throughout the match. The team effort allowed them to overcome deficits and secure the final goal.

In the Division One boys' final, Champlain Valley Union (CVU) beat Essex 2-1. The game required two overtime periods to decide. Ethan Leo scored the winning goal for the Hornets. Leo described the team as having intense fight throughout the entire contest. He emphasized that every player gave their all until the final whistle.

Richford girls defeated West Rutland 2-1 to win the Division Four title. This is their second state championship in the last three seasons. Junior Lilly Longe said the team focused on communication to handle pressure. The squad kept its composure against a motivated opponent.

Mill River boys defeated Arlington 3-0 to capture the Division Four boys' title. This is the school's first state crown in 41 years. Sophomore Isaac Smith said the win was especially meaningful because his brother lost the state final in 2019. Smith has played with his teammates since elementary school.

All four matches took place at Rutland High School on Sunday. The results conclude the state soccer tournament for the 2026 season.