WESTPORT–Yesterday’s state LL tournament match had all the makings of a classic post-season contest: two long-time rivals, playing in chilly weather before a large crowd. Back-and-forth, ebbing-and-flowing, cat-and-mouse action. Excellent defenses and goalkeeping. Several close chances.

Staples and Ridgefield’s quarterfinal game at Wakeman Field had all the makings of a nail-biting, penalty kick game.

Until it didn’t.

Adrian Rodriguez’s two-goals-in-two-minutes explosion — the first with just seven minutes remaining — broke open the tense match. The junior’s twin strikes powered the 4th-seeded Wreckers into the semifinals, 2-0. They’ll face #9 Hall-West Hartford, who knocked out #1 Naugatuck 3-0 last night. The semifinal match will be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, at a neutral site.

This is Staples’ first semi in four years. Ranked 6th in the state in 2021, they fell 1-0 to #1 Farmington in that game.

Ridgefield came to Westport yesterday with plenty of confidence. Seeded 12th, they’d upset #5 Xavier-Middletown 4-2 in their previous game. The Tigers also remembered their prior visit to Wakeman. Exactly three weeks earlier they lost 1-0 to Staples, in the final game of the FCIAC season.

Unlike several of the Wreckers’ earlier foes, Ridgefield did not come out in a defensive shell. They wanted to go toe-to-toe, all over the field.

And they did.

Facing a stiff wind, Staples did a good job keeping the ball on the ground. Spencer Girling and Drew Hill — two of the engines who make their side go — set the tone. Outside backs Dylan Shackelford and Gabe Hellmann surged forward often. But the visitors’ backs kept Staples’ potent attackers at bay. Behind them, tall keeper Jacob Hankla commanded his box.

The Wreckers’ best chances of the first half came in the 38th minute. Then, just one minute after intermission, came an even better one. Rodriguez had a golden opportunity, but was denied by a superb Hankla kick save.

As the game roared on — and after several Staples corner kicks carried too far, in the wind — it looked like that might be a decisive lost chance.

Until it wasn’t.

In the 73rd minute, Emmett Zahler unleashed a long throw. Brendan Allen got a head on it. The Tigers tried to clear, but Rodriguez — ready in front of the goal — pounced first, from close range.

In the state tournament, a late goal can sometimes inspire the other team to battle even harder. The squad with the lead can drop back to defend the lead, inviting more pressure.

That did not happen.

The Wreckers continued to attack. It took less than 120 seconds for Gabe Duque to find Josh Whitaker. The wide-ranging attacker, who is generally on the left side, was now on the right. He served a low, hard ball into the box. Once again Rodriguez was in the right spot, to finish with authority.

There are many ways to advance in the state tournament. Sometimes it takes overtime, or even penalty kicks.

Yesterday’s contest looked like it was headed that way.

Until it wasn’t.