An electrifying goal 32 seconds before halftime sparked the Staples boys soccer team to a 2-0 victory tonight over Wilton and set them up for a FCIAC final on Wednesday.
Steve Smith (white) does whatever it takes to win a ball, against two Wilton defenders. Staples won its FCIAC semifinal match 2-0 and advances to the final Wednesday night in Norwalk. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
The Wrecker win before a large crowd at Fairfield Ludlowe High lifted Staples to its third consecutive FCIAC final – and fourth in the past five years.
The Wreckers face Fairfield Warde on Wednesday (7 p.m.), at Norwalk High’s Testa Field. The Westporters are looking to three-peat as FCIAC champs.
The first-half goal came just four minutes after Mikey Scott took the field. The dynamic midfielder had missed two games after taking 30 stitches in his forehead, thanks to a collision. Scott’s long throw had been missed. But he unleashed a rocket, and Brendan Lesch was in the box to flick on.
Frankie Bergonzi power-headed the ball in for an important halftime lead.
The second half saw some nice combination play from the Wreckers. The insurance goal came in the 52nd minute. Bergonzi sent a great diagonal ball to Lesch, who deked two defenders before slotting it home.
“I’m happy for our guys,” said head coach Dan Woog. “We had a slow start, but they turned things around nicely.
“This is definitely a tribute to the seven seniors who have been varsity players for three years. They understand what Staples soccer is all about. My hat is off to them.”
