WESTPORT, Conn. Staples High School's soccer team knew it had to contain Trumbulls explosive Keith Bond to win its fourth straight league championship Friday night at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Although the Wreckers did a reasonable job on the Yale-bound striker, the Golden Eagles show they have some other weapons as well.
Zachary Chase and Liam OSullivan scored first-half goals to give second-seeded Trumbull a 2-0 victory over the No. 4 Wreckers. Trumbull (14-1-4) won its first outright league championship. Staples (12-3-4) was attempting to become the first team to win or share league titles for four straight years since the Westport team did it for five straight years from 1977-81.
Bond was held to one assist, on the first goal by Chase with 16:42 left in the first half. Chase assisted on OSullivans goal with 2:26 left in the first half. Staples backline defended well. Trumbull took advantage of its limited opportunities to cash in for goals.
Theyre quick, they cover a ton of territory, and they are very confident around the box, Staples coach Dan Woog said.
Staples had an advantage in corner kicks, 5-2, and Trumbull goalie Nick Weinstein made eight saves. The Wreckers had a few chances, especially in the first half. It appeared Staples had the tying goal with 8:35 remaining, when a linesman appeared to have raised his flag to signal a goal. Play continued, however, and Trumbull tacked on another goal six minutes later.
Had it been a 1-1 game it might have played out differently, Woog said. The second one before halftime is always tough, but thats soccer.
Staples pressed for a goal late in the second half. Trumbulls defense stood firm, and the jubilant Golden Eagles rushed the field afterward. They shared the title with Staples in 2006. This time they owned it outright by knocking off the team regarded as the leagues gold standard. Theyre big, theyre fast, theyre strong, Woog said. Theyre worthy champions. They proved that today.
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