FAIRFIELD — In over 60 years of state tournament play, Staples had never faced Fairfield Prep.

The Wreckers made their first-ever official meeting a memorable one Saturday afternoon, at Fairfield Prep’s Rafferty Stadium. Reese Watkins’ 50th-minute power header, off Matthew Jordan’s lacing corner kick, lifted the 6th-seeded Wreckers to a 1-0 win over #3 Prep, in the state class LL (extra large schools) tournament. The win vaults Staples into the state semifinal. They next face Farmington, at a neutral site, next Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Watkins’ strike was sandwiched between two great chances for the Jesuits. Central defender Bruno Guiduli halted the first, with a tough, well-timed steal. Goalkeeper Jacob Greenberger snuffed the other, a breakaway.

Guiduli’s defensive teammates Jackson Hochhauser, Hunter Smith and Jack Foster helped earn the shutout. Outside back Caleb Tobias was a strong force on both sides of the ball, shutting down his opponents and then initiating offensive forays.

Dylan Hoke, Jaden Mueller, Tim Liakh and Ryan Thomas kept midfield secure, while Watkins, Will Adams and Murilo Moreno applied offensive pressure.

Head coach Dan Woog called this “another classic state tournament match. 1-0 matches like these build character and confidence. Our guys are getting tournament-tested, and they’re reacting exactly the way a senior-dominated team should. They understand what it takes to persevere and advance. But they’re also having plenty of fun. It’s a great balance.”