State Tournament Semifinal Report: Staples vs. Hall [UPDATED – PHOTOS]

It was only a matter of time.

Despite slightly dominating the first half, and thoroughly taking charge after intermission, tonight’s state “LL” (extra large schools) semifinal between Staples and Hall-West Hartford was deadlocked 0-0 at Newtown High School’s frigid Blue Gold Stadium, with 23 minutes left in regulation time.

But a 3-goal explosion — including 2 goals just 41 seconds apart — lifted the 4th-seeded Wreckers to a 3-1 win over the #9 Titans. It was another convincing win in a season of them.

And it vaults Staples into the state finals. They’ll shoot for their 13th crown overall — but first since 2009 — on Saturday or Sunday, at Hartford’s Trinity Health Stadium.

Their foe will be familiar: Greenwich. They’re #2 in the state, and — like Staples — have romped through the LL tourney. Tonight they knocked off South Windsor, 4-1.

It will be a classic final. The Cards came from behind to win at Wakeman Field earlier this season, en route to a rare undefeated, untied FCIAC record. But the Westporters earned sweet revenge, winning the FCIAC title 3-2 less than 2 weeks ago.

Tonight, the Wrecker defense of Spencer Girling, Adriano Carpi, Dylan Shackelford and Gabe Hellman throttled the upstaters. Their first shot did not come until the 50th minute — a great opportunity off a very long throw, cleared off the line by Carpi.

Keeper Jack D’Amore also contributed a key stop.

But despite excellent work up top by the tireless duo of Gabe Duque and Josh Whitaker, Staples also did not manage any dangerous opportunities.

Until they did.

As they ramped the pressure up, Hall retreated. As they have all year long, the Wreckers waited patiently for a chance. They did not change their game plan; they did not force things, or rush.

What they did was continue to play team soccer. Duque found Noah Rossoni. The junior pounced on the left side, finishing low and hard.

The celebration had barely ended when the blue-and-whites were high-fiving and chest bumping again. Brendan Allen’s fierce side volleyed, off a poor clearance, after Ford Epstein whipped a cross in high, doubled the lead — and provided a bit of breathing room.

The 67th minute brought a goal the Wreckers have almost patented this fall. Whitaker sliced a classic ball across the box. Junior Adrian Rodriguez, in perfect position slammed it home.

The Titans did not go down without a fight. Lincoln Bush nicked one goal back soon after Staples’ third. Hall pushed nearly everyone forward then, and made the final 10 minutes interesting.

That left them vulnerable in the back, and Staples nearly capitalized again.

In the end, there was no more scoring. There was only another satisfying victory, a bus ride home to enjoy — and a sure-to-be-classic final to prepare for. FINAL SCORE: Staples 3, Hall 1. SEASON RECORD: 21-2-0.

QUICK KICKS: The Wreckers’ 12th, and most recent, state championship came in 2009. They were in the final the next year, 2010, too, but fell 1-0 to Farmington ….

A win in the final would equal the most wins in Staples history: 22. The 2009 team ended the season 22-2-0.

The last time Staples and Greenwich played in a state final was 1978 — Jeff Lea’s first year as permanent head coach. Staples won 3-2, at New Canaan’s Conner Field, on a goal by Gordie Hull with just 11 seconds remaining in the final overtime. Sophomore keeper Bob Simonton contributed a spectacular save moments earlier. Among the players on that team: Mike Noonan (now a national champion-winning coach at Clemson University); captain Tom Greenwald (whose son Joe later became a Staples soccer captain too), and Stuart McCarthy (whose son Michael was the keeper on the 2009 state champion squad) …

Staples’ state tournament has been more like an extended FCIAC tourney. Hall is their only non-conference foe, in 5 matches. That is a record for the Wreckers, who are used to seeing many different opponents in the post-season ….

Though this was the coldest night of the year — 35 degrees — there was no wind. Weather was not a factor in the outcome.