State Tournament 2nd Round Match Report: Staples vs. Darien [UPDATED – PHOTOS]

On Friday, Trumbull came to Wakeman Field in a defensive shell. The Eagles hoped to keep Staples scoreless, so their first round state tournament “LL” (extra large schools) match could go to penalty kicks.

This afternoon, Darien came to play. In round 2, they looked to avenge a regular season 4-0 loss to the Wreckers.

To win their 13th state championship, Staples had to win both types of games.

They did.

Goals by Greyson Downes and Gabe Duque paced the #4-ranked Westporters to a 2-1 win over #13 Darien, again at Wakeman.

The victory vaults the Wreckers into the LL quarterfinals, for the first time since 2021. They’ll face #12 Ridgefield on Thursday (2 p.m., Wakeman). The Tigers toppled #5 Xavier-Middletown today, 4-2. Staples and Ridgefield met on the last day of the regular season. The Wreckers prevailed, 1-0.

It’s unusual — but not unheard of — to face 3 consecutive FCIAC teams in the state tournament. Seedings are done based on won-lost-tied records, and the Fairfield County league includes many LL teams.

Despite their regular season defeat, Darien came to Westport with confidence today. They’d shut out Norwalk 4-0 in the first round, and had the run of play in the opening 15 minutes.

It was a physical start. Staples’ Adriano Carpi and Drew Hill set the tone for their side, winning balls with no-nonsense tackles. The officials showed 3 yellow cards in the first 13 minutes — 2 to the Blue Wave, 1 to the Wreckers.

The visitors had a good look in the 27th minute, on a long free kick into the goalmouth. The shot was blasted high.

Five minutes later, Staples coach Liam Witham made a rare 5-player substitution. Three of them — Owen Perry, Noah Rossoni and Downes — nearly combined on a bang-bang sequence, but keeper Daniel Jeffers smothered the attempt.

He had no chance on the first goal, 3 minutes later. Lucas Alarcon — another of the subs — slotted a ball through the goalmouth to Downes. He drew the keeper out, then finished calmly.

The 37th-minute strike galvanized the Wreckers. Downes opened the second half with a solid rip.

In the back, defenders Carpi, Spencer Girling, Dylan Shackelford, Emmett Zahler and Gabe Hellmann stood tall. They won balls in the air and on the ground, and initiated attacks that kept Darien on the back foot.

In the 52nd minute, Duque was taken down for a penalty kick. Josh Whitaker — Staples’ 5-for-5 kicker so far — was not on the field. So Duque stepped up, and laced his shot for a 2-0 lead.

Keeper Jack D’Amore saved well, on a ball that sliced through the box. Alarcon had a crunching tackle. Downes tracked a ball down in the corner, preventing a goal kick. Those are the kinds of things — large and small — that can spell a difference in a tournament match.

Whitaker had a good look in the 60th minute, off a dangerous ball from Hellman. At the other end, Hellmann delivered a key tackle at the edge of the box. Alarcon ripped a shot that was saved well.

The clock ticked down. But with 13 minutes remaining, the Wavers pulled themselves back into contention. A long free kick was not cleared; the goal that halved the margin came from close range.

Staples went right back on the attack. A volley by Duque, a hard shot from Adrian Rodriguez and a blast by Alarcon were all saved.

Darien had their moments too. D’Amore snagged a long free kick 6 minutes from time. From then on, the Wreckers managed the match.

Now they’ll have to manage Ridgefield. After 2 very different games, they’re ready for whatever comes. FINAL SCORE: Staples 2, Darien 1. SEASON RECORD: 19-2-0.

QUICK KICKS: In other “LL” matches involving FCIAC teams, #2 Greenwich annihilated #18 Platt Tech 9-1. Brien McMahon (#25) fell 4-1 to #9 Hall-West Hartford.