HARTFORD — St Joseph High of Trumbull sophomore Olivia Franson got her first taste of high school state playoff soccer action during the team’s championship season last fall. Unfortunately for the Newtown resident, she suffered a broken foot during the postseason and was sidelined during a bitter-sweet run to the title in 2021.

Fast forward to this November 19 and Franson was on the field when the second-seeded Cadets won their second consecutive Class L crown with a 3-0 win over the fourth-seeded Notre Dame-Fairfield Lancers, at Trinity Health Stadium.

“It’s so exciting. I have a great team behind me. We all support each other,” Franson said.

Most of Franson’s team is actually in front of her. Previously a forward, she was moved back to defense and earned the starting role on the left side this fall.

“It’s a tough task,” Franson said of stopping fast opponents.

A task she and the rest of the team’s back line did admirably in shutting out three of four state playoff foes while conceding just one goal following a first-round bye. The Cadets also won the FCIAC title, lost just once during the regular slate, and handed Class LL champ Staples of Westport its only two defeats — in the regular season andagain in the FCIAC’s pinnacle game. Franson does not only use her quick feet; she takes throw-ins as well.

“We needed an athletic player and she’s very athletic,” St Joes Coach Jack Nogueira said of moving Franson to the back line. “She’s done a fantastic job for us all season.”

Wherever Franson is playing out there, she is thrilled just to be on the pitch.

“It’s my life. I’ve spent about 13 years doing it. It’s everything to me,” Franson said. “I love playing at St Joes. It’s such a good dynamic.”

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.