Members of the Staples High School girls soccer team celebrate today after they advanced to the Class LL semifinals with a penalty kick 2-1 (3-1 PKs) victory over Trumbull. The Wreckers and Darien will play in the semifinals. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Colleen Palmer/Twitter.com

Playing in sub-freezing weather, the Staples football team tonight crushed Stamford 42-0 at Stamford.

The Wreckers improved to 6-3 on the season.

Next up: Staples hosts Greenwich at home on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m.

The Staples boys soccer team tonight shut down J.T. Siano, the Ridgefield scorer who is perhaps the best player in Connecticut. But Scooter Glass’ goal with three minutes to play in the first overtime period broke a scoreless duel, and lifted the Tigers into the quarterfinals of the LL (extra large schools) state tournament. The goal came on the rebound of a shot that caromed off the far goalpost. The evenly played contest between the No. 21 Wreckers and No. 5 Tigers featured tight defense by both teams. Staples was keyed by keeper Ry Cohen, backs Chris Martenson, Ryan Fincher, Gabe Baltierra and Will Birch, and midfielders Matt Engler and Nick Ambrose (who marked Siano tightly). “The scoreboard said we lost,” said head coach Dan Woog. “But we sure weren’t beaten.” Staples, which finished the year 9-6-4, graduates only eight seniors, including co-captain Engler (shown in the photo) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Alan Frost for WestportNow.com

Timmy Liles’ overtime goal today lifted the Staples boys soccer team to a 1-0 upset win over Stamford in the opening round of the state LL (extra large schools) tournament. The senior slotted in a rebound, following a long outlet from defender Will Birch, and Azam Plummer’s strong run and cross. The goal –- two minutes from the end of the first overtime period -– followed a scoreless 88 minutes of play. The Wreckers –- seeded No. 21 in the tourney – had fallen to the No. 12 Black Knights 1-0 during the regular season. The win was keyed by superb defense from Birch, Chris Martenson, Ryan Fincher and Gabe Baltierra, and excellent goalkeeping by Ry Cohen. Staples advances to the second round on Wednesday at Ridgefield. Fincher is shown in the photo, surrounded by a gaggle of Stamford attackers.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Alan Frost for WestportNow.com

Staples senior Timmy Liles (c) is mobbed by teammates, including Gabe Baltierra (4) today after an upset 1-0 victory over Stamford. Liles scored the game winner for the Staples soccer team in first round state tournament action at Stamford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Alan Frost for WestportNow.com

Staples High School girls swimmers tonight took third place in the FCIAC competition in Greenwich. Pictured are (front row, l-r):  Marissa Healy, Esme Hunter, Willow Woods, and Coach Mike Laux; (back row) Annie Bowens, Mia Fraas, and Michelle Kennedy. The Wreckers set a FCIAC record with their first place finish in the 200-yard medley relay (1:46.32) and secured their meet finish with a huge win in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay (3:30.66.) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples senior Max Lonergan gets taken down during today’s 49-9 loss to St. Joseph of Trumbull at Trumbull. The Wreckers are now 5-3 on the season while the Cadets improved to 7-1. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Chris Greer for WestportNow.com

It was a heartbreaking and frantic finish tonight for the Staples Girls Soccer Team as it fell 1-0 to St. Joseph of Trumbull in the FCIAC championship game at Fairfield Ludlowe.

In the final seconds, Staples sophomore Julia Lombardo took aim with a corner kick, and as the ball sailed, teammates began celebrating as the Wreckers, down 1-0 at that point, believed they had tied the game.

But officials ruled, and video confirmed, senior Joseph goalkeeper Veronica O’Rourke had punched the kick over the crossbar above the goal, which is considered out of bounds.

It was the Cadets’ first title since 2013. Freshman Maddie Fried scored the game’s only goal with 1:11 left in the first half.

UPDATE The Staples High School girls’ soccer team today edged Ridgefield 1-0 at Wilton to advance to the FCIAC championship game against St. Joseph on Friday.

Arianna Gerig’s cross into the box knocked off the foot of Ashley Wright and into the back of the net for the lone goal.

Staples last played for the FCIAC title in 2014.

The Wreckers finished with a share of the championship with Fairfield Warde.