The Staples Boys soccer team moved into the state quarterfinals today with a 1-0 win over Hall-West Hartford at its home Albie Loeffler Field.

Ross McGibney’s clutch goal with just 2:15 remaining in regulation time sealed the victory for Staples.

The Wreckers, now 14-2-2, advance to the state LL (extra large schools) quarterfinals. That game is set for Friday at 2 p.m. at Albie Loeffler Field against E.O. Smith-Storrs.

McGibney’s goal was sweet revenge. The junior striker had several opportunities early, including a near-certain goal that was saved brilliantly by goalkeeper Kevin Sweetland.

Chris Meinke moves upfield in the Staples 5-0 win over Danbury today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com

Staples goalkeeper Sean Milligan launches a goal kick in today’s Staples 5-0 victory over Danbury.The Wreckers advance to the round of 16 in the state LL tournament. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Melanie Nangle for WestportNow.com

The Staples boys soccer team had some ardent fans looking on as they rolled to a 5-0 victory over Danbury in the first round of the state LL tournament. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Melanie Nangle for WestportNow.com

Staples defender Colin Nangle beats his man and moves into the attack. Staples beat Danbury 5-0 today in the first round of the state tournament, and moves on to play Hall-West Hartford on Wednesday (2 p.m. at Staples). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com

The Staples boys soccer team erupted for three goals in the first eight minutes, then cruised to a 5-0 victory today over Danbury in the opening round of the state class “LL” tournament in Westport. 

The Wreckers, seeded seventh with a 13-2-2 record, now host the winner of the Greenwich-Hall game. That round-of-16 contest will be played Wednesday at
2 p.m., at Albie Loeffler Field.

Ross McGibney’s hat trick sparked the Staples onslaught. The junior striker’s first goal came just 1:13 after the opening whistle, off a long ball from sweeper Colin Nangle.

Less than two minutes later Chris Meinke drove into the corner, and fed a great cross to Derek Kennedy.

The 12-1-2 (regular season) Staples boys scoccer team earned the seventh seed in the state class LL tournament—the highest of the 10 FCIAC teams qualifying for the 30-team event.

Staples’ first round opponent is the Danbury Hatters—a team they did not face in the regular season—with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Albie Loeffler Field.

“It’s now a five-game season, but we can only play it one game at a time,” said Staples head coach Dan Woog. “We’ll give it our best shot.”

The Wreckers have won 11 state championships in their 46-year history. The most recent was 11 years ago in 1993.

Staples junior Dylan O’Shea eludes a tackle in tonight’s 20-0 win over Wilton in Wilton.  The Wreckers improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the FCIAC East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A couple of Wilton tacklers bring down Staples junior Ryan Bohling during tonight’s 20-0 Wrecker win over Wilton.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Westport U11 Girls Warriors soccer team has advanced to the finals of the Connecticut Cup tournament.

Saturday’s 2-1 win over Glastonbury Hartwell clinched a berth for the Westport team.

The Connecticut Cup is held each spring and fall to identify the best travel soccer teams in the state.  Sixty U11 Girls teams entered the tournament, and Westport will play Farmington on Saturday with statewide bragging rights on the line.

Also on Saturday, three other Westport travel soccer teams participated in closely contested Connecticut Cup semifinals.