Adrian Rodriguez dropped *two* goals on Stamford on Wednesday, cementing Staples’ second straight FCIAC championship with a tight 3-2 victory. This wasn’t just another win for the Wreckers; it was a statement. These guys are back-to-back champs and looking absolutely unstoppable as they head into the state tournament.
A Dynasty Cemented, A Rival Conquered
Liam Witham, in just two seasons as head coach, has absolutely turned the Staples boys soccer program into a juggernaut. Think about it: they just defended the conference crown, something they hadn’t done since 2010 before last year’s victory. Coach Witham is “over the moon,” and honestly, who wouldn’t be? The Wreckers have been ranked No. 1 in the GametimeCT Power Rankings all season long, steamrolling through opponents with only one hiccup: a 0-0 regular-season draw against this very same Stamford team. You know that gave them a serious “chip on our shoulder,” as Rodriguez put it, and they came out swinging in the championship rematch.
Rodriguez Shines as Wreckers Fight Off Stamford Push
Talk about an early lead! Adrian Rodriguez wasted no time, finding the back of the net in the second minute thanks to an assist from Noah Rossoni. Pure fire to start the game. But Stamford wasn’t going to roll over easily. Benjamin Gaite converted a penalty kick just under eight minutes in, tying it up at 1-1. Did that rattle our Wreckers? Nope. Rodriguez, proving why he’s the Player of the Game, scored *again* in the 23rd minute to put Staples back on top. Rossoni then extended that lead to 3-1 in the second half, scoring in the 53rd minute. Coach Witham highlighted how tough Stamford’s goalie is, so putting up three goals against them is a huge deal. Stamford did fight back, with Matthew Atiencia scoring to make it 3-2 with under 11 minutes left, but the Staples defense, which only allowed five regular-season goals all year, held firm when it mattered most.
Next Stop: State Title Hunt (And Maybe Another Stamford Rematch?)
So, what’s next for our dominant Wreckers? They are rolling into the CIAC Class LL tournament as the No. 1 seed and snagging a first-round bye. Stamford is the No. 8 seed, and you know what that means, right? They’re on the same side of the bracket. A potential quarterfinal rematch? You *know* that would be appointment viewing. Adrian Rodriguez is “ecstatic,” saying the team has the “best chemistry in the state,” and Coach Witham straight up calls him “one of the best high school players I have ever seen.” This team is built different, they’re not done yet, and the rest of the state better be ready for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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