Staples junior striker Ross McGibney beats an E.O. Smith defender in today’s 4-0 quarterfinal win. He scored twice in the game that set up Wednesday’s semifinal match against Newtown in Danbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Melanie Nangle for WestportNow.com

The Staples boys soccer team scored one goal in the first minute of play today, added two more in the first half, then cruised to a 4-0 victory over E.O. Smith-Storrs.

The win—the team’s third straight tournament shutout—propels the Wreckers into the state LL tournament semifinals.

Staples, now 15-2-2 and the seventh-ranked team in the tourney, faces No. 3 Newtown on Wednesday at Danbury High School at 5 p.m.

The Wreckers have won their first three state tournament matches by shutouts.

Newtown, which earlier this season was nationally ranked, has a 17-1-0 record.

Junior Brian Levine hauls in a pass from D. J. Stekovich during today’s 27-6 win over Westhill of Stamford at Westhill. The Wreckers, ranked No. 4 in the state, improved to 8-1 overall and 7-1 in the FCIAC East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Quarterback D. J. Stefkovich looks for a receiver during today’s game against Westhill in Stamford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples senior Mike Bruno, playing with a heavy cast over his right hand to protect a broken wrist, gets tackled from behind during today’s game against Westhill of Stamford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples defenders, including Ryan Bohling (No.10) gang up on Westhill’s quarterback during today’s 27-6 Wrecker win in Stamford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Staples boys soccer state tournament quarterfinal match against E. O Smith-Storrs scheduled for 2 p.m. today has been postponed due to inclement weather.  It will be played Monday at 2 p.m. at Staples Albie Loeffler Field.

Ross McGibney, who scored the only goal of today’s Staples state tournament victory with just over two minutes to play, is hoisted aloft by a jubilant Jon Zimmerman. The win over Hall-West Hartford vaults the Wreckers into the quarterfinals, set for 2 p.m. Friday at Staples. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com

Staples defender Matt Geringer gets the job done in today’s 1-0 state tournament victory over Hall-West Hartford. The Wreckers next meet E.O. Smith-Storrs in a quarterfinal match Friday at 2 p.m. at Albie Loeffler Field. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com

Stapes defender Dave King wins a ball against Hall-West Hartford in today’s 1-0 shutout at Albie Loeffler Field. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com