Staples High School boys soccer cemented its status as a regional powerhouse on Wednesday, successfully defending its FCIAC title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Stamford at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The win marks the second consecutive conference championship for the Wreckers, a program that head coach Liam Witham has transformed into a dominant force in just two seasons. Witham, who guided the team to its first FCIAC title since 2010 last year, expressed immense pride in the squad’s ability to sustain elite performance. “Winning championships doesn’t come around very often, so to win it again in my second season, I am over the moon,” Witham said. “I am happy to take the championship home.”
Liam Witham’s Wreckers secure back-to-back titles with a dramatic 3-2 win over Stamford
The rematch against Stamford proved to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams finding the net within the first eight minutes of play. Adrian Rodriguez ignited the Staples offense early, scoring in the second minute on an assist from Noah Rossoni to give the No. 1-ranked team an immediate lead. Rodriguez would ultimately be the decisive factor in the contest, netting two goals to secure the victory. The match highlighted the intense rivalry between the two programs, as Staples had previously drawn 0-0 with Stamford during the regular season, the only time the Wreckers failed to win a game all year.
Staples enters the post-season as the top seed in the GametimeCT Power Rankings, having maintained a near-perfect record throughout the regular season. The team’s consistency and depth have allowed them to overcome early pressure and close out tight games, a trait that will be crucial as they look to extend their winning streak. With back-to-back FCIAC titles under their belt, the Wreckers have established themselves as the team to beat in Connecticut high school soccer, setting a high bar for future opponents.
Source: Yahoo Sports
