By Andy Hutchison

WILTON — Trailing 2-1 with time winding down, top-seeded Staples field hockey team was on the verge of being upset by No. 2 Darien in Tuesday’s FCIAC championship game at Wilton High.

Enter Sofia Fidalgo, who stepped up and knotted the score with less than 20 seconds to spare, and then finished the game with an overtime net-finder with 1:10 left in the 10-minute 7-versus-7 extra stanza.

Final score: 3-2 Wreckers.

Tyla Ozgen also scored for the Wreckers, who saw Darien tie things on a penalty stroke in the third quarter and take the the lead with just 1:08 to play in the fourth. 

Fidalgo saved the Wreckers with poise and determination.

“She has the ability to go the extra mile when needed. Her goal to tie the game with seconds left was perfectly struck when others might succumb to pressure,” Staples Coach Ian Tapsall said.

Fidalgo’s game winner came on a tremendous solo effort and show of deft stick handling. “Her OT goal by running 55 yards with the ball without being tackled and also the superb finish were immense for us. I don’t think I’ve ever borne witness to such an incredible game of hockey,” Tapsall said.

The Wreckers are not done yet. 

Staples is the top seed in the Class L State Tournament, with a first-round bye. They will host either No. 8 Amity of Woodbridge or No. 9 Conard of West Hartford in the quarterfinal on Nov. 8 or 9 (time to be determined).

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.