Staples Falls in State Soccer Finals

The dream of a second consecutive state title for the Staples Boys Soccer team ended today on the Waterbury Municipal Field turf.

Farmington scored on a brilliant free kick less than five minutes after Staples equalized, in the second half. The Indians then held on for a 2-1 victory, in the state “LL” (extra large schools) championship game.

Farmington took the lead in the first half, but Court Lake’s blast following Jake Krosse’s corner kick evened the score. That set the stage for Kevin Michalak’s 20-yard direct kick, over the wall and into the far left corner.

Staples – which outshot Farmington – ends the season at 20-3-1. 

Seven seniors – Frankie Bergonzi, Steve Denowitz, Sean Gallagher, Greg Gudis, Jake Krosse, Brendan Lesch and Mikey Scott – finished their three-year varsity careers with a record of 63-7-1. They won three FCIAC championships, and one state crown.

“If you’re a competitive athlete, you’ll be on both sides of games like this in your life – winning and losing,” said head coach Dan Woog. “Farmington did everything they had to to win. They’re very worthy champions.

“Our guys are holding their heads high. They’ve had an amazing run this year. I am very, very proud of them – as players and people. They have written a great chapter in the Staples soccer history book, and it’s a story we will tell for years to come.”