Mike Smith and Alex Gendell react to the end of their senior soccer season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
The Staples boys soccer team fought to the finish but fell 2-1 to Trumbull today in Trumbull.
The loss, in the first round of the state “LL” (extra large schools), eliminates the 28th-ranked Wreckers, who finish the season 7-7-2. The Golden Eagles, ranked fifth, are now 14-1-2.
Trumbull started 10 seniors, Staples only four (along with two juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen). But the Wreckers battled their hosts strongly throughout the match.
The Eagles scored two minutes before halftime, and four minutes after intermission, but Staples countered almost immediately when Liam Bohonnon stuffed home a rebound of Alex Gendell’s shot. The action was end-to-end until the final buzzer.
“We got outscored, but we were not beaten,” said head coach Dan Woog.
“We left the field with our heads held high. If we have to wake up over the next few weeks with the memory of a loss, I’m glad it’s this memory. I’m disappointed, but also very very proud.”
