State Tournament Set; Wreckers Draw Wilbur Cross
The state tournament draw was announced this morning. The Wreckers head to New Haven.
Staples’ regular season record of 8-4-4 earns them the 17th seed. They face Wilbur Cross on Monday. The Governors are #16 (8-4-3). Game time is 6 p.m. at Bowen Field (175 Crescent Street, across from the Hillhouse Athletic Complex).
This will be the 4th meeting between the 2 schools — but the first since 1990. That year, Staples won 3-1. They were also victorious in 1965 and ’69.
The “LL” (extra large schools tournament) includes 35 teams. All qualified with at least a .400 record. To get down to 32, there is a playdown round on Saturday. Darien (#32) faces #33 Fairfield Prep, while #31 Brien McMahon and #34 Stamford square off as well.
Other FCIAC teams in the tourney include #2 Fairfield Warde (vs. the Stamford-McMahon winner); #8 Trumbull (vs. #25 Amity); #10 Danbury (against #23 South Windsor); #14 Greenwich (playing #19 Conard) #18 Norwalk (vs. #15 Harding), and #21 Fairfield Ludlowe (at #12 Cheshire).
In class “L” (large schools), #10 Wilton hosts #23 Branford.
In other soccer news, the Staples boys soccer program congratulates the Trumbull boys and Staples girls. The #2 Eagles — who eliminated the Wreckers in the FCIAC semifinals — edged previously undefeated and #1 Mustangs 1-0, to win the league championship, while the Staples girls continued their undefeated season with a thrilling 1-0 win over St. Joseph. Autumn Smith — sister of freshman player Hunter Smith — scored the game-winner, giving the Wreckers their second FCIAC title in 5 years.
The 2019 varsity team. (Photo/Christina Bassler)
