WESTPORT–The Wreckers capped off an excellent regular season yesterday afternoon.
Their 1-0 victory over Ridgefield, at very windy Wakeman Field, gave them a sparkling 14-2-0 record, as the regular season drew to a close.
Coach Liam Witham’s quick, talented, strong and poised side finished second in the FCIAC, to Greenwich. The Cardinals won that regular season matchup 4-3, in a wild come-from-behind game last month.
Staples could well see the undefeated, untied Cardinals again — perhaps twice — in postseason play. The FCIAC tournament starts Monday, with a home quarterfinal match. Game time will be 3:30 p.m. The foe is most likely Norwalk, depending on the outcome of tonight’s Greenwich-Brien McMahon season ending match. (The Senators are still in contention for a tournament berth, though their odds of taking a loss against Greenwich are high.)
The state “LL” (extra large schools) tourney follows the league tournament.
The post-season is what Staples soccer is all about — and has been, throughout its 67-year history. The blue-and-whites are shooting for their 28th FCIAC title — the most by far in the league — and their 13th state crown. But there’s been a drought for over a decade since those last championships.
First, the Wreckers had to take care of business yesterday. They did, against a determined and skillful Tiger squad. Like Staples, they keep the ball on the ground, and move it with pace and precision. Had either team favored a kick-and-run style, Thursday’s gusts would have played havoc with their plans.
Instead the game was fairly even, for long stretches. The differences were the Westporters’ ability to step in and win most contested balls; the stalwart defense of Spencer Girling, Adriano Carpi, Dylan Shackelford, Gabe Hellman and Emmett Zahler — and an opportunistic goal, midway through the first half.
A long back pass from a teammate put the Ridgefield keeper in an awkward spot. After he cleared it to a defender, Josh Whitaker won it on the far left side. Without hesitation, and despite a near-impossible angle, he fired into the far corner.
The Wreckers secured their lead with relentless pressure. It kept their foes at bay — and ended the regular season on a strong note.
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