Staples boys soccer claims its second straight FCIAC championship, defeating Stamford 3-2 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. (Will Aldam/Hearst Connecticut Media) Will Aldam · CT Insider Thu, November 5, 2026 at 3:08 AM UTC About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FAIRFIELD - In two seasons as the head coach of the Staples boys soccer team , Liam Witham has turned the program into a juggernaut.
Last year, the team won its first FCIAC title since 2010, and on Wednesday, the Wreckers successfully defended the conference crown with a 3-2 victory over Stamford at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.
"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."
Staples, which has been ranked No. 1 in the GametimeCT Power Rankings all season, had won all but one of its regular-season games - a 0-0 draw against Stamford.
Within the first eight minutes of the championship rematch, both teams had scored.
The Wreckers took an early lead when Adrian Rodriguez found the back of the net in the second minute. Noah Rossoni assisted on the goal.
"I am ecstatic, couldn't be happier with how we performed," Rodriguez said. "Edged out a win 3-2, very tight. I am so happy. We always knew we were capable of beating them. We had more of a chip on our shoulder because they were our only tie in the regular season."
Stamford tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty kick scored by Benjamin Gaite just under eight minutes in. The teams remained tied until Rodriguez scored again in the 23rd minute.
Rossoni extended the lead to 3-1 in the second half, scoring in the 53rd minute.
"Even going back to last year, I think we lost 3-1 to (Stamford)," Witham said. "Goals don't come around often against them, especially with their goalie, who is phenomenal. To score three, I would have been mad if we lost and scored three."
Stamford fought back, making it a one-goal game when Matthew Atiencia scored with under 11 minutes remaining, but the Staples defense, which allowed just five regular-season goals, held strong.
"Everyone said we were going to have a rebuild year, but we knew we had more talent than people thought," Rodriguez said. "We have the best chemistry in the state. We know each other inside and out and that leads to our success."
Staples will enter the CIAC Class LL tournament as the No. 1 seed and will get a first-round bye. Stamford is the No. 8 seed, and with both teams on the same side of the bracket, they could meet again in the quarterfinals.
Adrian Rodriguez, Staples: The senior scored two goals to lift Staples to its second straight FCIAC championship.
"What a player. (Adrian Rodriguez) is one of the best high school players I have ever seen, and I have only been around for a little while, but he is a phenomenal player. He deserves all the credit he gets, and he helped us win it last year as well." - Staples coach Liam Witham.
STAMFORD 1 1-2 STAPLES 2 1-3 Scoring: Staples - Adrian Rodriguez (Noah Rossoni), 1:13; Adrian Rodriguez, 23:36; Noah Rossoni, 53:28; Stamford - Benjamin Gaite (PEN), 7:45; Matthew Atiencia, 69:47. Records: Staples 18-0-1; Stamford 12-4-3.
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This article originally published at No. 1 Staples boys soccer repeats as FCIAC champion behind Adrian Rodriguez's two goals .
Source: Sports
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