The 17th-ranked Staples boys soccer team today stunned three-time state champion, first-seeded Glastonbury 3-2, away. Down 2-0, the Wreckers got a goal just before halftime from Alan Fiore. Lars Djuve tied the score with only seven minutes remaining; then, with three minutes to go, Evan Birns got the game-winner. Sebi Montoulieu was outstanding in goal. The victory vaults Staples into the state quarterfinals, Friday against Trumbull. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Patrick Ostbye for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School boys soccer team today pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in its 61-year history.

Playing in frigid cold, the 17th-seeded Wreckers upset No. 1-ranked Glastonbury High School 3-2 at Glastonbury. And they did it in spectacularly dramatic fashion.

The Tomahawks had won three straight state LL (extra large schools) championships, and four of the last five. They had not been scored on in the state tournament since 2017.

Glastonbury went up 2-0 in the first 14 minutes, and things looked dire for Staples. But the Wreckers clawed back, halving the margin to 2-1 on a goal by Alan Fiore just three minutes before halftime.

Benny Feuer scored on a header (as shown in photo), off Emerson Anvari’s feed, to give Staples a 1-0 lead over Wilbur Cross in today’s first-round state tournament game in New Haven. But a red card to the goalkeeper (for handling the ball outside the box, to prevent a goal scoring opportunity) forced the Wreckers to play the final 41 minutes a man down. Yet they continued to control the match, and added two second half goals. Brendan Lynch scored, assisted by Patricio Perez Elorza, and George Smith’s shot was deflected in by a defender. The 3-0 victory advances Staples to the second round. They travel to Glastonbury, to face the No. 1-seeded Tomahawks on Wednesday. Kickoff is 2 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Christina Bassler for WestportNow.com

The Staples Boys Cross Country team capped a successful season today by placing sixth at the 85th Annual New England Interscholastic Cross Country Championships at Wickham Park in Manchester. The Wreckers competed in an accomplished field of 30 teams and 259 athletes across a muddy and cold 5K course. Morgan Fierro placed first for Staples in 14th place with a time of 16:13, earning All New England honors. Senior Teddy O’Kane followed in 47th place in 16:40 and senior Nick Taubenheim placed 52nd in 16:43.The top scoring positions were rounded out by juniors George Lepska (103rd) and Dillon Harding (115th). The final finishers for Staples were Junior Max Sod (143rd) and Sophomore Zach Taubman (166th). Staples Principal Stafford Thomas joined to root on the athletes and celebrate the team’s success. The team will next prepare for the Indoor Track & Field season, kicking off in early December. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Staples field hockey team battled not only the Darien girls, but pounding rain and driving wind tonight in their FCIAC Tournament Championship game at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. The adverse conditions may have contributed to 0-0 tie during regulation play. The subsequent overtime failed to produce a goal for either team. The Lady Wreckers are now co-champions with the Blue Wave of Darien.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Marrtin for WestportNow.com

The Staples Girls soccer team emerged victorious in their FCIAC championship game tonight at Wilton High School against second seeded St. Joseph Hight School of Trumbull. The rain held off briefly but returned, making the turf slick, causing player after player to loose their footing. Conditions may have contributed the scoreless first half. It was junior Autumn Smith to the rescue shortly into the second period, with the only score of the game with an assist from senior Mia Gonzalez. Pictured: senior captain Reese Sutter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Staples girls soccer coach Barry Beattie celebrates in the rain with one of his players, senior Marlo Von Der Ahe, and a supporter, Emma Cristna (r), following tonight’s 1-0 victory over St. Joseph High School of Trumbull at Wilton High School. Beattie led his team to an undefeated season and the FCIAC championship. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Staples Girls Swim and Dive took third place tonight at the FCIACs with 288 points just behind Greenwich placing second with 303 points, and Darien placing first with 335 points. In the 200 medley relay, the team of Esme Hunter, Annie Bowens, Ella Alpert and Sophia Mechanic took fourth. In the 200 free Morgan Lenoce took second place with Jessica Qi at fourth. In the 200 IM Esme Hunter placed third with Hannah Strauss at eighth. The 50 free saw Annie Bowens at seventh and in the 100 fly Ella Alpert placed seventh. Staples had three swimmers in the A final of the 100 free with Qi placing second, Strauss at sixth and Mechanic at eighth. Lenoce took eighth in the 500 free. In the 200 free relay the girls placed second with the team of Hunter, Qi, Bowens, and Lenoce. Esme Hunter placed first in the 100 back, and the girls took fourth in the 400 free relay with the team of Lenoce, Mechanic, Strauss and Qi. Pictured: the Staples girls team holds the third place award. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples struck first, in the FCIAC boys soccer semifinal tonight at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Just seven minutes after kickoff, Benny Feuer headed in Patricio Perez Elorza’s corner kick. But Trumbull answered with two goals before halftime. They added a third just after the break, then tacked on a final goal in the waning minutes, as the Wreckers pressed forward. The Wreckers—ousted in the league tournament final four for the second year in a row by Trumbull –- now focus on the state tournament. Play begins Monday; pairings will be announced this Friday. Pictured: Brendan Lynch and Evan Birns celebrate Feuer’s goal. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Christina Bassler for WestportNow.com