Match Report: State Quarterfinal vs. NFA
In 2000, Staples was ranked #1 in the state tournament. They brought a perfect 19-0-0 record into the semifinal, against Fairfield High.
The match was played in a monsoon. The Mustangs upset the Wreckers 2-1; the winning goal was a wet ball that slipped through the keeper’s hands.
This year, Staples is again #1, in the “LL” (extra large schools) tourney. This afternoon — with a near-perfect 19-0-1 mark — they faced #9 Norwich Free Academy at Wakeman Field.
The conditions were not as bad. But the rain was steady, and cold.
Conditions like these often favor the underdog. A shot can skip through; there are more chances for the more skilled team to make a weather-induced mistake.
But the Wreckers rose to the challenge. They kept the ball on the ground, and kept possession almost as well as on a gorgeous sunny afternoon. They kept their poise too, despite not knocking in a trademark early goal. They kept their footing too — no small feat on a very slick surface.
The 13-2-3 Wildcats were worthy foes. They reached the quarterfinals with 1-goal victories over Darien and West Haven — the team that knocked FCIAC finalist Stamford out of states.
They were no match for the defending state champs, though. They got a 30th-minute tally from the team’s leading scorer, Adrian Rodriguez, then tacked on two more in the second half en route to a 3-0 win.
That vaults Staples into the semifinals. They’ll face #4 Glastonbury. The upstaters edged #5 Trumbull this afternoon. The date and site will be announced soon.
NFA was not afraid of their unbeaten foes. They had faith in sure-handed, wide ranging keeper Kaiden Walsh, who took free kicks almost at midfield.
Wrecker keeper Zach Delman was forced into an early save. Neither team had a great opportunity for the next 20 minutes, when Lucas Alarcon slammed a free kick off the goalpost.
Staples was forced to work harder than they had in most matches. The conditions demanded extra concentration. But in the 30th minute Rodriguez picked up a feed from Noah Rossoni, and knocked it goalward. The keeper could not get a hand on it, and just like that — as they’ve done in nearly every game this year — the Wreckers led.
They’ve made a specialty of protecting leads, too, with defense that comes from excellent shape, an ability to step up and win 50/50 balls, and a cohesive back line of Thomas Pretty, Ryan Allen, Spencer Derakhshan and Owen Green.
The Wildcats’ best chance came 10 seconds before halftime. A quickly taken free kick was struck wide by inches.
Luke Diedrich subbed in for Delman after the break. The first field substitutions did not come until the 60th minute. But they made coaches Liam Witham and Billy Babayo look like Pep Gaurdiola. Two seconds after coming on during a corner kick, Dutch Schlegelmilch power-headed Alarcon’s corner kick just inside the far post, for a 2-0 edge. It was the sophomore’s first varsity goal ever.
Five minutes later, Diedrich made a fine save. Six minutes after that, Ethan Katzner intercepted a pass on the right side, cruised forward, then slipped a ball across the goalmouth to Jaden Waldman. The junior finished with authority — his second goal in as many games.
The wet, cold Wreckers headed home to dry off, warm up, and prepare for Glastonbury. They’re old foes, battle-tested in the tough CCC conference.
And — after #16 Staples upset #1 Glastonbury 3-2 in 2019 — the upstaters eliminated the Wreckers from the state tournament in both 2022 and 2024.
QUICK KICKS: This was only the 3rd meeting ever between Staples and NFA. The Wreckers won both previous matches, 7-0 in 1992 and 6-0 in 2012.
Noah Rossoni (10) congratulates Adrian Rodriguez, after the first goal. (Photo/David Whitham for The Ruden Report)
