Staples Defeats Glastonbury 3-2 in Class LL Semifinal

UPDATE Revenge is sweet. Last year, Glastonbury scored twice in the final eight minutes, ousting Westport’s Staples High School in the Class LL semifinals of the state boys soccer tournament.
A jubilant Wreckers team celebrates Greg Gudis’s goal—the first of the night against Glastonbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

This year the two teams met again in the semifinal round with the Wreckers ending victorious in a wild, 3-2 affair in front of a large, boisterous crowd at West Haven High School. 

Staples earned the right to play for the 12th state championship in its 51-year history—and first since 1993. Staples meets New Milford Saturday at a time and site to be determined. It is the first state championship game for New Milford.

This will be Staples’ second championship appearance in four years. In 2006, they lost 2-1 to Simsbury in sudden-death overtime.

Tonight’s victory marked the only loss of the season for the top-seeded, 19-1-1 Tomahawks. Entering the match, Glastonbury was ranked No. 1 in New England, and No. 4 in the nation. Staples is now 21-2-0.

The first half saw three goals in the final thee and a half minutes. The first—a tough-angle, 40-yard chip of the keeper by Greg Gudis—caromed in off the far post. Mikey Scott assisted.

Glastonbury answered 54 seconds later, but the Wreckers quickly recovered. Scott’s long throw was headed along and in by Mikey Fitzgerald, off the side post.

The Wreckers upped their lead nine minutes after halftime. Scott got his third assist of the match, again off a throw. Fitzgerald again got the tally.

But Glastonbury was formidable. They cut the lead in the 59th minute and applied heavy pressure.

Staples’ defense of keeper Michael McCarthy, plus Fitzgerald, Jack Hennessy, Frankie Bergonzi and Sean Gallagher were more than equal to the task. Up top, Mike White managed the game well, and—unlike last year—the Wreckers were on the attack often as the clock wound down.

“I’m so proud of our guys,” said head coach Dan Woog. “Last year’s bus ride home after Glastonbury was brutal. Our players set a goal that day, and now they’re close to reaching it. Tonight’s bus ride was joyful—and they’ve played with joy all season long.”