Stamford falls, out of FCIAC playoffs
FAIRFIELD — The Warde boys soccer team is looking to complete the first unbeaten regular season in school history. Standing in its way was a Stamford team needing a win to keep its FCIAC playoff hopes alive.
Now, Warde must beat St. Joseph (1112) Monday to complete the undefeated season.
After 75 minutes of a stalemate, Warde captain Danny Villalba converted a penalty kick, preserving for his team the coveted undefeated campaign while simultaneously eliminating Stamford from league playoff contention.
“Not down the middle,” Villalba said about the strategy for his penalty kick. “(Going unbeaten) means a lot. It hasn’t been done in Warde history and we are looking to keep it going. We are exhausted but our mentality is there and we want it every game.”
Villalba was awarded the penalty kick after Stamford was called for a hand ball in the box with 5:15 left to play.
Warde (1203) will be the No. 1 seed when the FCIAC tournament begins Thursday.
Stamford (781) needed to win and get some help in the form of Ludlowe and McMahon losses Monday but the defeat Saturday morning eliminated any scoreboardwatching drama for the Black Knights.
“We did battle back but now we can’t sneak into the tournament,” Stamford coach Mario Caminiti said. “(Warde) is a good team but we had our emotion taken away with five minutes left. I don’t blame our kids for anything. I am proud how we played against some of the top teams in our league. They worked very hard. We missed some chances early in the season and in this league, that kills you.”
After a backandforth first half, Warde controlled much of the play in the second half, though Stamford was able to generate a few decent chances off counters.
Warde nearly broke through earlier in the second half off a direct kick from 40 yards out.
The ball was played into the box with the first Mustangs shot hitting the post and the second ringing off the crossbar with 13:45 to play.
QUOTABLE
“I give Stamford a lot of credit. They put a lot of pressure on us and they have some phenomenal athletes,” Warde coach Justin Ottavio said. “I think good teams will find a way to win. We hit the post a few times but we continued to preserve and continued to work. Four games in six days takes its toll mentally and physically. Right now, we need to decompress and get healthy for the postseason.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Andrew Jones, Warde. The junior goal keeper kept his team in the game with several stellar saves on shots from close range. Jones finished with seven saves.