State Tournament Starts Tuesday — Wreckers Host Darien
The draw for the LL (extra large) boys soccer tournament is out.
The #10 Wreckers host #23 Darien on Tuesday at Loeffler Field. Kickoff is 2 p.m.
This is the 1st home state tourney game for Staples since 2013 (a 1-0 win over Norwalk). The Westporters earned the right to a home match thanks to their 10-2-4 record. The Blue Wave were 7-4-5. The 2 teams tied 0-0 last month at Staples, during the Wreckers’ 60th anniversary ceremonies.
Staples and Darien are no strangers to post-season play. In 2014 the Wave eliminated Staples from the state tournament, 2-0. The next year Darien knocked the Wreckers out of the FCIAC playoffs, by the same score.
“We’re into a 1-game season,” said head coach Dan Woog. “The teams that win state championships don’t look ahead. They are laser-focused on one thing: the next opponent. We have a ton of respect for Darien. They are always talented, well coached, and well prepared.”
Woog added, “Our guys will be ready. They set several goals at the beginning of this season. A home game for the state tournament was one of them. Now that they’ve got it — and they know there will be a great crowd — they’re looking forward to playing at home.
“This is the best time of year. It’s what we’ve been working for since last winter. We can’t wait to get started!”
QUICK KICKS: There is only one other FCIAC first-round match-up in LL: Westhill at Danbury. Click here for the full bracket….
Xavier (15-0-1) and Hall (14-1-1) are the top 2 teams. Each gets a bye….
Trumbull — the team that ousted Staples from the FCIAC tournament on penalty kicks — won the championship on Thursday. The Eagles edged Danbury 1-0, in overtime. It was the 3rd straight time Trumbull had gone to extra time.
