FCIAC

WESTPORT — A small part of it was redemption. But more importantly, it was another chance to chase greatness.

The Staples High girls soccer team took its first step forward in the Class LL tournament Monday by nipping a stubborn Warde squad 2-1 in first-round action at Wakeman Field.

No. 5 seed Staples (14-1-3 overall) had been upset 2-0 in double overtime by No. 8 seed Darien in the recent FCIAC playoff quarterfinals.

“Our girls were disappointed after the Darien game, our first loss in 17 games,” Staples coach Barry Beattie said. “The girls learned a lesson the hardest way possible. Darien deserved that win. We had to put the enjoyment back into playing soccer. They had to put the smiles back on their faces.”

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WILTON — Just four and a half minutes into its state tournament opener, the Wilton girls soccer team found itself trailing.

Fairfield Ludlowe found the back of the net as the 22nd-seeded Falcons were looking to upset the 11th-seeded Warriors on their home field.

“I think I was surprised and I didn’t expect it,” Wilton standout Ally Dejana said of the early deficit. “We got off to a bit of a slow start but we really picked it up.”

Dejana, however, scored the next two goals, helping carry Wilton to a 2-1 victory over FCIAC foe Fairfield Ludlowe in a CIAC Class LL state tournament first-round game in a steady rain on Monday afternoon at Lilly Field.

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TRUMBULL — An overtime loss to Ridgefield last week in the FCIAC semifinals left the St. Joseph girls soccer team with seven days to practice — and stew over that defeat — before the Class LL tournament commenced.

On Monday afternoon, St. Joseph took out that frustration on Westhill in the Class LL first round.

The Cadets dominated in all facets, scoring six times in the first half en route to a 6-0 victory on a chilly, wet afternoon. Sixth-seeded St. Joseph moves on to host No. 11 Wilton — a 2-1 winner over No. 22 Fairfield Ludlowe — in the second round on Wednesday.

“I had a sense we would come out and play well, only because how we practiced after the Ridgefield game,” St. Joseph coach Jack Nogueira said. “We were a little hungrier. I didn’t think it would be 6-0, but I thought we would play very, very well.”

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TRUMBULL — After stewing over their tough FCIAC first-round playoff loss for the last 10 days, the Trumbull High Eagles figured they deserved at least a soothing 10-minute break during halftime of Monday’s Class LL first round girls soccer game against Cheshire.

Thanks to Erin Melia’s goal, set up beautifully by Simone Dewar 34 seconds before intermission, the Eagles got their wish.

“The third goal (giving Trumbull a 3-1 lead before halftime) was massive for us,” Trumbull’s first-year coach Rich Sutherland said after his team’s 5-1 victory. “At 2-1, it’s a tough game. At 3-1 it changed the game and had (Cheshire) hanging their heads. It was a good time for us to score.”

With Skylar Jorge scoring three goals, including two by penalty kick, the 13th seed Eagles (12-6) advanced to Wednesday’s second-round game at No. 4 Shelton at 2 p.m. The win helped erase the memory of Trumbull’s 4-0 FCIAC quarterfinal loss to eventual champ Ridgefield back on Oct. 26.

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