By Caroline Coffey

WESTPORT — The four-year reigning state champions were dethroned in the first round of the state tournament as Staples Wreckers were shocked in a 1-0 loss to Wilton on Wednesday.

Each of the three 2021 matchups established the Warriors as a threat to the Wreckers stronghold–and in the end the Warriors secured their revenge. 

With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Warriors tightened around the goal after a penalty corner. Goalie Ella Williams dove for a save to her right, but as the ball ricocheted off of Williams, Lizzie Kendra capitalized on the scramble and scored on a stroke to the left.  

Wilton scored at an opportune time, leaving Staples mere minutes to devise a response of their own. As the Wreckers struggled to maintain possession of the ball as time dwindled, Kendra’s late goal proved to be the decisive blow.

Opportunities presented themselves to the Staples offense throughout the game, but their efforts did not bear fruit. 

Late in the first quarter, captain Jess Leon sent a high-flying shot to the right post and the Wilton goalie made an impressive save. 

In the middle of the second quarter, Leon again sent an aggressive shot from the left side of the circle and one defender was just able to get a stick on the ball. 

At the beginning of the third quarter, Sofia Fidalgo just missed the goal after a penalty corner, sending a high shot just past the right post. To close the quarter, Tyla Ozgen also made a miss from close range.

With the loss, the Wreckers were eliminated from the tournament. 

Though the loss devastated the team, the future remains bright for Staples with eight underclassmen returning next season. Freshman Tyla Ozgen was the team’s leading scorer, and is part of a strong freshmen class that also boasts Sophia Fidalgo and Emma Larit.