Match Report: FCIAC Quarterfinal vs Wilton [UPDATED WITH PHOTOS AND MORE INFO]
Cruising to a 15-0-1 regular season record, the Staples boys soccer team was not tested all year.
The lone blemish — a 0-0 draw with Stamford — was a relatively one-sided affair. The Knights played defensively, and their keeper had a superb match.
But the regular season is over. Eight teams began the FCIAC tournament today, all even. It’s one and done. Win and advance. Lose and go home.
The #1-seeded Wreckers won, 3-1 over #8 Wilton, at Wakeman Field.
Yet the score is deceptive. The Warriors battled back after surrendering an early goal, drawing level 4 minutes later.
It took Staples nearly an hour more to get the go-ahead tally, just 7 minutes from time. They tacked on another quickly. as Wilton pushed forward.
The Westporters knew they’d been pushed, for the first time all year. It was what they needed, if they hope to repeat as FCIAC and state champs. They passed the test.
Just a week earlier, Staples ruined Wilton’s Senior Night with a pair of early goals, en route to a 2-0 victory. The Warriors, with a deceptive 6-5-4 mark, came to Wakeman ready for revenge.
With an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Tristen Albright, who caught, punched or otherwise saved a blizzard of shots, they nearly got it.
Wrecker coach Liam Witham rolled the dice, and continued resting 2 starters — Adrian Rodriguez and Alex Saleeb — both recovering from injuries. Once again, Peter Nelson moved up from his usual left back spot, replaced there by Spencer Derekhshan, while Kai Massicott got the nod up top.
The gamble seemed to pay off. In the 6th minute Massicott picked up a loose clearance, following a long throw-in by Derekhshan, and fired directly into the back of the net.
This time though, the Warriors did not wilt. Philip Jeschke pounced on a rare mis-clear by Staples, and suddenly it was 1-1.
It stayed that way through the first half, and well beyond. With defenders Derekhshan, Thomas Pretty, Ryan Allen and Ciaran Kennedy facing the most pressure they’ve seen all year, the match turned into a gripping, and physical, affair.
The first Staples subs came in the 32nd minute. Jaden Waldman added punch to the attack, while Owen Green took over in back. Albright saved Noah Rossoni low with 4 minutes before intermission, the Wreckers’ best chance since their goal.
In the second half, the hosts kicked things up a notch. They played with more intensity, and intent. Rossoni and Waldman were stopped. Pretty’s great header off a free kick was saved equally well; the defender then missed by inches on a long-range blast. Albright denied Waldman again, in the 59th minute. Downes was denied by a defender.
But Staples was knocking on the door.
In the 63rd minute, Witham sent Rodriguez in. He was one more dangerous attacker for Wilton to worry about.
One of several Staples corner kicks was saved. Albright made a spectacular punch save on Downes.
And then all that pressure paid off.
Another Derekhshan throw was knocked forward. Central midfielder Nico Reyna pushed ahead and — making somethin out of what seemed like nothing — poked the go-ahead goal in, far post.
The Wreckers celebrated jubilantly. They’ve scored often this year — this was their 74th goal of the season — but it meant more than any other.
One minute later, keeper Zach Delman came off his line to save.
The insurance tally came with 3:22 left. Downes lofted a ball in; Rodriguez headed it on, past the onrushing keeper.
The win — easily their most satisfying of the year — lifts Staples into Saturday’s semifinals (1 p.m., Fairfield Ludlowe), against #4 Greenwich. The Cardinals edged #5 Ridgefield 1-0 tonight.
In the other side of the bracket, #2 Stamford beat #7 Fairfield Warde 3-1, while #3 Trumbull topped #6 Danbury 3-0.
Congratulation Kai Massicott (23) on his early goal against Wilton are (from left) Noah Rossoni, Nico Reyna and Peter Nelson.
Noah Rossoni turns the corner.
Defenders Ryan Allen (6), Spencer Derekhshan (13) and Thomas Pretty (5) have surrendered just 6 goals all year. Ciaran Kennedy (20) is ready to help.
Adrian Rodriguez is back after an injury. (All photos/Paolo Caniato)
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