MANCHESTER — Bow netted its first-ever Division III girls’ soccer championship with a 2-1 overtime win over Campbell of Litchfield in a title-game rematch.

Kyle Duval scored the game winner in the sixth minute of overtime, scooting a one-touch shot under a diving Campbell keeper off a nice feed from Naomi Kramer after Melissa Gloekler won the ball and set up the scoring bid on the far sideline.

Senior Duval’s title-winning score was her first varsity goal, and was sudden death for defending champion Campbell, which beat Bow 2-1 in overtime of last season’s championship. Both teams returned for a rematch despite graduating 10 players.

Given time for retaliation, the Cougars probably would have scored in this can-you-top this championship game between two evenly matched clubs, featuring plenty of hard tackles and determined play.

“We wanted time to fight back,” said Campbell senior Olivia Planty.

The two teams played to a 2-1 final score on five of the six times they met. Each lost 10 players from last year’s teams. They split the season series. The similarities and familiarities made for tough going offensively until the final 10 minutes of regulation play when Campbell took the lead when Liz Pettis fed Planty.

Bow responded within two minutes of Campbell’s goal, tying the game with 6:22 left in regulation.

“I was obviously worried about losing to them again when they scored, but, as a team, we don’t give up. I had faith,” said Gloeker, whose pass sprung Kramer for a breakaway blast.

“We finally executed. We were just missing with the through ball. I knew if we got one through and stayed onside, we would score,” said Bow coach Jay Vogt

Both scores were bang-bang plays. Pettis found Planty running to free space 15 yards before the right post. Gloekler’s pass went to about the same spot. Kramer’s score crossed to the opposite corner of the goal.

“We were fighting against a good defense but had to find a way to even the score,” said Kramer.

Neither team gained an edge in the first half. Pettis put up a shot on goal for Campbell while Jane Leven hit Bow’s lone shot. The keepers swallowed up each challenge.

Defenses bent but didn’t break until late in the second half. Both clubs worked the ball in the box, but couldn’t get off shots. Savannah Cavanaugh and Pettis took charge defensively for Campbell, while Falcon defenders Byrie Forey and Audra Lessard swiped the ball from Campbell shooters.

“It’s just Cougar soccer. Playing tough and not giving up,” said Campbell keeper Shannon Lavigne, who fought her way back from knee surgery to play this season.

Campbell (16-3) handed Bow (17-1-1) its lone loss of the season. In fact, the 2-1 defeat was the only time an opponent tallied more than one goal against the Falcons. Bow and Raymond were the only teams netting more than a goal against the defending champs this season.

“Playing (Campbell) seems to bring out the best in us,” said Vogt. “It’s nerve wracking but an exciting challenge.”

Bow earned its first title in its seventh Class M/Division III title game appearance. They were runner up finishers five times in a six season stretch from 1998-2003.

“I can’t stop crying,” said Gloekler. “It took a while, but we finally made history. Now we can put that banner up in the gym.”