30 Years Later, A Vintage Video Surfaces
Thirty years ago this spring — before the introduction of premier and academy teams — the Westport Warriors won the U-16 Connecticut Junior Soccer Association championship.
Back in the day, all Westport players played together, on Westport Soccer Association teams. Spring battles foreshadowed the high school season ahead.
No one gave the Warriors a chance, in the state finals against Glastonbury. The upstaters were so confident, their parents hired a videographer to record the victory.
The Westporters stunned everyone — except themselves — with a 3-1 win. The 1st goal was scored by Jem Sollinger, off a semi-trick free kick from Jon Walker. The 2nd was a great header by Scott Coleman, with a Sollinger assist.
That team formed the core of Staples’ 1987 FCIAC championship squad — with Walker scoring a dramatic overtime goal in the 1-0 win over Greenwich (click here, then scroll down for story.)
Several of those former Warriors and Wreckers are well known to local soccer fans. Andy Udell — who anchored the defense — is the WSA travel director. Sollinger remains very involved with the Staples soccer program. Coleman was tragically killed in the World Trade Center on 9/11, but his brother Todd serves as the current WSA president. (Derek and Drew Riker earned their own fame, as super-models and “Amazing Race” contestants.) The coach was Dan Woog.
Eight of the 11 Warrior starters went on to play 4 years of college soccer.
As for that Glastonbury videographer — none of the parents wanted his film. But a Westport parent bought a copy.
Now — after 3 decades — it has resurfaced. Click here for the 1st goal; click here for the 2nd.
The Westport Warriors
