The Milford High School Spartans are now the NHIAA Division II girls soccer champions.

It just didn’t happen the way they would have liked.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” Milford coach Russ Matthews said Friday night.

That’s because Matthews got word late yesterday afternoon from Milford athletic director Marc Maurais that the team’s championship game opponent, Merrimack Valley, had a coronavirus issue and would not be able to play in Sunday’s scheduled title tilt in Penacook.

Reportedly there was an MV player with a positive test, and the team would have to forfeit.

“We’re kind of bummed about it, actually,” Matthews said. “It’s an abrupt way to end the season.”

Maurais and Milford principal Chali Davis came out to the Spartans practice and informed the players. According to Matthews, some had tears.

“They were disappointed,” Matthews said. “I think we thought we were going to win it, but this was not the way we wanted to do it.

“I feel bad for Merrimack Valley and their kids. Hopefully everybody there is OK and can stay healthy.”

Matthews said that waiting a couple of week for necessary quarantine, etc. to play wasn’t an option, as the weather would likely not be suitable by then. The Spartans finished the regular season with a 5-0 mark and had their regular season finale vs. Hollis Brookline cancelled due to the Spartans’ own virus concerns. But that was mainly with the boys soccer team, which had to shut down its season before the tournament started.

They then beat Pelham 4-0, Hollis Brookline 4-2, and then Bow 1-0 in Thursday’s semis. Milford graduates four seniors.

Merrimack Valley is the third school since the tourney season began to have its team or teams lose their postseason due to virus concerns. St. Thomas shut down its teams recently, and the Exeter football team had to forfeit its quarterfinal with Winnacunnet.

On Sunday, Matthews said the Spartans will hold an intra squad scrimmage, and then ride a school bus with a fire department escort around the town Oval to be acknowledged as champions. MV athletic director Kevin O’Brien will deliver the Division II title plaque to the Spartans as well.

“It’s a weird way to end,” Matthews said.