FAIRFIELD–It took 15 years.

It took hard-fought wins against the only two teams the Wreckers lost to this year.

But the FCIAC trophy is back where it’s been 27 times before: Staples High School.

The Westporters tacked on another title to their no-one-else-is-close record last night, in a statement win at Fairfield Warde’s Tetreau Field.

Their 3-2 victory over Greenwich not only avenged the Cardinals’ late-come-from-behind 4-3 win earlier this season.

It was also the first defeat they suffered all year. Greenwich came into tonight’s championship game with a flawless–and very rare–17-0-0 mark.

The two squads–who have played classic matches over the past 20 years–started out in helter-skelter fashion. The ball was in the air for much of the first 10 minutes–a rarity for both sides.

But then things settled down. In the 18th minute Gabe Duque won a tackle, spun around, and raced to the right corner. He blazed a cross through the goalmouth. Adrian Rodriguez pounced, touching it in for a 1-0 lead. It was reminiscent of so many Staples goals this year: created from the flanks, finished clinically.

That sparked Staples. They won a bit more of the individual battles, for the next 15 minutes. But Greenwich was undefeated for a reason.

In the 28th minute keeper Jack D’Amore–who had perhaps his busiest match of the year–made a superb save off a corner kick.

In the 35th minute, defender Gabe Hellmann took a corner kick. That’s been another of the Wreckers’ most potent weapons all fall. This one was deflected goalward. Brendan Allen was there, knocking it home for a 2-0 lead.

But the Cards had been behind by two goals before–once. It was to Staples, in their regular season encounter. They came right back, scoring two minutes later with a searing left-footed volley by Matheus Bongiolo that curled into the left corner.

There was still more first half action. Hellman served another excellent corner. This one bounced around in the box, until Rodriguez tucked it in. Once again, it was a two-goal game.

Greenwich began the second half with the run of play. A solid Card chance in the 53rd minute flew over the bar. D’Amore came through again, 10 minutes later with a fingertip save.

As Greenwich came on, the Wrecker defense rose to the challenge. Center back Spencer Girling commanded his line with authority; he won most balls in the air and on the ground, and initiated many attacks. His outside defenders, Hellman and Dylan Shackelford, were ruthless as well. Carpi in front, and Drew Hill at midfield, provided additional help

The Cardinals–battling to keep their unbeaten streak alive, and recalling their previous come-from-two-goals-down win–pushed forward. In the 70th minute, a long, lofting free kick was headed in superbly by Henry Davis.

With 10 minutes to play, it was once again a one-goal match.

The physical but cleanly played contest grew even tougher. Another Greenwich opportunity, this one with six minutes left, flew just wide. So did a 77th-minute shot.

But Staples was attacking too, preventing the Cards from pushing everyone forward. Duque’s 78th-minute blast was saved superbly.

Greenwich battled to the end. D’Amore saved again–this time with 10 seconds to go.

And then it was over. At the final whistle, the Wrecker bench erupted. A dozen and a half reserves raced onto the field.

It was a scene that had been repeated over 2 dozen times, in Staples’ storied 67-year history.

But this was the first one since today’s players were toddlers. They hadn’t seen a Wrecker FCIAC championship celebration, ever.

Yet they knew exactly how to celebrate. And they knew they’d written another great chapter in Staples soccer history. 

Next: the state “LL” (extra large schools) tournament. The bracket will be released today. The Wreckers expect to have a first-round match at Wakeman Field Friday, at 2 p.m.