WESTPORT — Over the course of 90 minutes, two premier Connecticut girls soccer teams duked it out in an intense defensive battle that produced no goals. Though the rain had stopped before the game, the field was wet and slippery and the ball was very difficult to handle. 

One minute into the second overtime, a corner kick by Maddie Sansone was deftly kicked goal-wards by Neva Mermagen for the only goal of the game. Staples defense locked Farmington down for the remaining nine minutes to secure the win.

In the second half, Maddie Sansone, Gaby Gonzalez and Annabel Edwards had several shots blocked or caught. Gonzalez had what was probably the most dramatic play, when she reverse-headed a pass from an Annabel Edwards free kick towards the goal, but it too was trapped by Farmington.

Luck and skill was on the Staples side in OT as a Farmington free kick clanged off the crossbar in OT #1 and the defensive line thwarted a free kick in OT #2.

Nine-ranked Staples will face #12 Fairfield Warde in a state semifinal match on Tuesday. Time and location to be announced.