Staples Boys Soccer Chalks Up Another FCIAC Title

A late goal by senior co-captain Brendan Lesch lifted Staples to a 2-1 victory over Fairfield Warde in the FCIAC boys soccer final Wednesday at Norwalk High School.

It was the Wreckers'  third consecutive FCIAC title and 27th overall in the program's storied history since its inception in the late 1950s. 

"Each year we come out, and this is our goal," said Lesch, who earned MVP honors for the tournament. "To be on the field after the game celebrating an FCIAC championship for the third year in a row, that's what it's all about."

The Wreckers have won four of the last five FCIAC championships under veteran coach Dan Woog, who guided the Wreckers to their 12th state crown last season.

Although the season began sluggishly with a 1-2 record, the Wreckers rebounded and strung together a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1), launching themselves into good position for not only an FCIAC repeat but also to defend their Class LL state title.

The FCIAC championship game at Norwalk High's Testa Field featured a matchup of two defensive-minded teams. It was evident from the starting whistle that any goals-scoring chances would need to be earned.

Such was a given, especially since throughout the entire tournament neither team had conceded a single goal. Staples had scored three goals and Warde four.

"Not to slight the other teams that we've played so far, but that was by far the toughest game that we've been in," Woog said. " Give all the credit in the world to Warde. It was their first FCIAC championship game, and they weren't nervous and really took it to us."

The first half was a testament to just how evenly matched the teams were. Nothing separated them going into halftime, as they were remarkably even  in shots (3), corners (3), and fouls (8).

After a deadlocked first half, senior forward Greg Gudis struck in the first 30 seconds of the second half.

Gudis received the ball at the top of box from Lesch's header, and, with a lucky bounce off the defender's boot, found enough room to rip a shot just past the diving keeper, Dylan Strachan.

Celebrations were short-lived, though. Just two minutes later, Warde senior Taylor Rosenblum retaliated with a shot that curled just inside the far post, beating keeper James Hickok from about 20 yards out and tying the game at 1-1.

"It's always tough when a team comes back and equalizes a game so quickly," Lesch said. "We did a good job of not letting the momentum shift [for them], and responded in a high pressure situation."

Staples had showed promise early with a number of throw-ins from threatening positions.

Senior Mikey Scott kept challenging Warde's defense with long throws, totaling seven in the first half and providing a constant threat that eventually benefited the Wreckers.

When Scott went to take a throw-in in the 54th minute, Warde's defense quickly retreated to the box, expecting a long throw.

Scott reacted by playing the throw short to senior Jake Krosse. A long shot by Krosse was misjudged and dropped by Strachan, yet he was able to block the resulting shot by Court Lake.

However, Lesch pounced on the rebound, placing the ball out of the keeper's reach, and scoring the go-ahead goal.

Lesch's goal did little to hamper the opposition's determination. In fact, the most promising openings for Warde shortly followed.

In the final 20 minutes of regulation, Warde controlled possession and pressed with an intensity that Staples had previously not seen.

Warde had three near-goals in the final minutes - the most dangerous of which was a long, inaccurate cross by Warde sophomore Ryan Gavey,  which would've curled into the far post for an equalizer if not for a brilliant fingertip save by Hickok.

"James Hickok is the only reason that we're standing here," Lesch said. "He was lights out in the last 15 minutes, and he's only a sophomore. We're all just really proud of how he stepped up."

Staples now looks forward to the upcoming Class LL state championship, which begins on Monday. Staples is projected as a No. 5 seed, according to coach Woog.