Greenwich High boys soccer team topped by rival Staples in CIAC Class LL final

By David Fierro on November 23, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Greenwich High School senior Alexander Amato (No. 9) pursues the ball while a Staples High School athlete attempts to get around him during the CIAC Class LL Boys Soccer Tournament final at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on Nov. 16, 2025. The Cardinals lost the title game, 3-0.

Greenwich High School’s varsity boys soccer team’s successful 2025 season included 20 victories, two appearances in championship games and only two losses.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, those two losses came in the championship game of the FCIAC and Class LL tournaments to one team – arch rival Staples High School.

Determined capture its second state title in four seasons, second-seeded Greenwich was defeated by fourth-seeded Staples, 3-0, in the CIAC Class LL Tournament Soccer Final before a large, enthusiastic crowd at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on Nov. 16th. Though disappointed with the defeat, the Cardinals left the field knowing they had another outstanding season, one they could be highly proud of.

“We had a fantastic season,” Cardinals coach Kurt Putnam said. “We lost two games to one team in two finals. You get to two finals and they are the only two games you are going to lose – it’s a great season.”

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Francisco Luzuriaga of Greenwich High School’s varsity boys soccer team, right, looks to control the ball during championship game of the CIAC Class LL Tournament vs. Staples at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on Nov. 16, 2025. The Wreckers won the title game, 3-0.

While Greenwich concluded its 2025 campaign with a record of 20-2, Staples finished its season at 22-2, including 17 consecutive victories to cap its championship season. The Wreckers edged Greenwich, 3-2, in the FCIAC Tournament’s championship game on Oct. 27th, then went 5-0 in the CIAC Class LL tourney, beating Trumbull, Darien, Ridgefield and Hall prior to their rivalry showdown versus the Cardinals in the title tilt.

Scoring off two set pieces, Staples held a 2-0 halftime lead on Greenwich at halftime of the Class LL final at windy, blustery Trinity Health Stadium. The first goal of the championship game occurred in the 16th minute. Senior Gabe Hellman booted his corner kick into the box, which included plenty of traffic.

Senior Gabe Duque had a fantastic finish on Hellman’s corner kick. Angling his body perfectly, he was able to get his left foot on the ball and direct it into the goal, giving the Wreckers a 1-0 edge.

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Cardinals senior Matheus Bongiolo, left, battles for the ball with Dylan Shackelford of Staples at the Class LL Tournament final. Staples won the game, 3-0.

“The left-footed corner kick is the best I’ve seen in 25 years,” Putnam noted.

Dylan Shackelford, a senior, who was named the state championship game’s MVP, gave Staples a two-goal advantage in the 30th minute. Senior Adriano Carpi took a corner kick from 40 yards out, which settled deep into the box. Shackelford rose up for a header and the ball deflected off the hands of Greenwich junior goalie Oliver Almeida’s hands and inside the left post, making it 2-0 in favor of the Wreckers.

“Give them credit, at the end of the day, they are very, very good at set pieces,” Putnam said. “If you don’t match them then they are going to hurt you. Clearly, it’s something they’ve worked on.”

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Members of the Greenwich High School varsity boys soccer team huddle up prior to playing rival Staples High School for the CIAC Class LL state championship.

Greenwich tried its best to rally. Seniors Francisco Luzuriaga, Alexander Amato, Manny Bonilla and Matheus Bongiolo hustled up front to create scoring chances.

Staples junior goalie Jack D’Amore made a nifty save off a Cardinals corner kick in the 26th minute, punching the ball away, before it was cleared by a defender, keeping GHS off the scoreboard.

Greenwich’s defenders Henry Davis (senior), David Boside (senior), Jason O’Brien (senior) and Nicholas Martschenko, also a senior, were effective throughout against the Wreckers, who outscored their opponents, 11-2, during their five wins in the Class LL tourney. It was the set pieces that ultimately did in the Cards.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro/06878 Photography:** Greenwich senior Jason O’Brien (No. 5) moves the ball along the sideline during the title game of the CIAC Class LL Boys Soccer Tournament final against Staples. The Wreckers won the game, 3-0.

“We couldn’t deal with the way they were attacking, which is those long balls and free kicks and corners,” said Luzuriaga, one of the Cardinals’ captains. “I thought we got a little unlucky as well, but I’m proud of the boys for all the work they put into this game.”

“The team that won it deserved to win it, we were knocking the ball around and trying to do things textbook, but it’s about scoring goals,” Putnam said. “He has them scoring goals in a way that suits his team. I can’t take anything away from them.”

The game-sealing goal was scored with 18:36 minutes left in the second half, a tally that was disputed by the Cardinals.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro/06878 Photography:** Alex Amato of Greenwich, left, in action at the state championship game.

Junior Noah Rossoni sent a through ball to junior Adrian Rodgriguez, who found himself 1-on-1 with Almeida after getting behind the defense, putting Staples ahead, 3-0. Rodriguez appeared to be offsides on the play and video replays show that he was offsides, but the goal stood and Staples seized a three-goal lead.

Though the season ended with a loss to their rival in the state championship matchup, the Cardinals accomplished plenty this fall and should be proud of its achievements.

Greenwich went undefeated during the regular season, registering a record of 15-0, winning the FCIAC West Division and earning the No. 1 seed in the FCIAC Tournament.

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Greenwich and Staples High School’s varsity boys soccer teams in action during a corner kick at the CIAC Class LL Tournament final at Trinity Health Stadium. The Wreckers won, 3-0.

During their spectacular 15-0 regular season, the Cardinals posted eight shutouts and outscored their foes, 58-10. Included in their perfect regular season was a 4-3 comeback win over Staples in a game they trailed, 3-1.

In the FCIAC Tournament, the Cardinals notched triumphs over Fairfield Warde (a 1-0 victory) and Ridgefield (3-0 win) in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, before being edged by Staples, 3-2 in the final.

After receiving an opening-round bye in the Class LL Tournament, the Cardinals cruised past 15th-seeded Platt, 9-1, in the second round, seventh-seeded Notre Dame-West Haven, 6-1, in the quarterfinals and sixth-seeded South Windsor, 4-1, in the semifinals.

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Staples scores on a corner kick in the first half of the CIAC Class LL Boys Soccer Tournament championship against Greenwich High School. The Cardinals lost the game, 3-0.

“It was a great season, we had a lot of early success, we just couldn’t finish the job,” Martschenko said. “I love these boys and I couldn’t have asked for a better season with these boys.”

“Staples is a good team, they’re challenging and they bring a lot of energy,” Martschenko continued. “We knew it could go either way, but if we played our game and played our best, we could win. Obviously, we were hoping for a better result. But they’re a good team and they did a good job.”

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Staples scores a goal off a corner kick in the first half of the Class LL Tournament’s title game versus Greenwich. The Wreckers were victorious, 3-0.

“It was a great season,” Luzuriaga added. “We showed that we care each day and worked very hard.”

The All-FCIAC Boys Soccer Team was recently announced and Greenwich was well represented on the team.

**06878 Photography by Antonio Monteiro:** Alex Amato battles for the ball versus Staples High School.

Alexander Amato, Mateus Bongiolo, Manuel Bonilla and Francisco Luzuriaga each earned First Team All-FCIAC honors for Greenwich for their standout seasons.

Oliver Almeida, David Boside, Henry Davis and Nicholas Martschenko received FCIAC All-West team accolades.