Two goals in each half powered Westport’s Staples High School boys soccer team to its second consecutive FCIAC championship tonight. The Wreckers trounced Ridgefield 4-1 before an enormous and appreciative crowd at Norwalk’s Testa Field.
The back-to-back wins are Staples’ first consecutive FCIAC crowns since 1990-91. The Wreckers have now won three FCIAC titles in four years, and 26 throughout their 51-year history.
Staples struck early. In the eighth minute, Mikey Fitzgerald played a quick ball to Mike White. The senior striker put on some nifty moves, then found a wide open Greg Gudis for a picture-perfect tap in.
Seven minutes later it was 2-0. Frankie Bergonzi took Drew McNair’s throw-in, and split the Tiger defense. Mikey Scott raced forward, before finishing low and hard.
A Ridgefield goal 44 seconds before halftime could have deflated the Westporters. But they roared back, and midway through the second half struck gold. Gudis’s corner kick was headed down and in by Brendan Lesch, but the midfielder was not through.
He scored his second header goal – this one a diving blast, from White – to close out the scoring.
White was named MVP of the match, in a poll of league coaches.
“I’m so happy for our guys,” said head coach Dan Woog.
“It’s not easy to repeat. There’s been a ton of pressure on them. But they play good, tough, smart, creative soccer—and they have a great time doing it. Their smiles say it all.”
