League Championship Weekend!
Three weeks ago, nearly every one of our teams were in contention for the postseason, but each had work to do to secure their place. By the end of last weekend, nine teams had qualified. Three teams clinched home games for the semis as #1 or 2 seeds and six other teams secured #3 or 4 seeds.
After a full slate of Saturday semis (Nov 16) we emerged with three finalists for Sunday and saw every team play well. Sunday’s final matches saw Wilton teams grab a runner’s up trophy and two championships!
Here are the highlights. Oh yeah and don’t miss this Instagram reel !
Boys 2013 Blue - Secured the #1 seed for the playoffs and hosted Darien, a team they tied 2-2 in the final week of the regular season. Wilton came out determined and stuck to the game plan, earning a sound 2-1 victory to advance to the Sunday championship against a talented Bridgeport side. Wilton again came ready to play, taking a 1-0 lead into the half. They battled in the second half, conceding a game tying goal before bouncing right back with an eventual game winner to secure the championship 2-1. The team concluded the season 8-2-1 as regular season and divisional champs.
Boys 2014 Blue - Entered the playoffs as the top seed in a very tight division. Out on the friendly confines of Allen’s Meadows the team put together a clinical semifinal performance - scoring two goals while giving up none. They advanced to the Sunday dance with Brookfield, a team they tied 1-1 in a late regular season match. Wilton again came out with a winning attitude going up 1-0 then quickly 2-0 … showing championship form throughout the game. The team played composed, attacking soccer and quite confident in defense. They kept their team shape, defended with numbers and attacked with urgency. They wrapped the season with a 9-1-1 record and both the regular season and postseason titles.
Boys 2012 Blue - This group has grown stronger and stronger as teammates with each passing week and over the last few seasons. They are often found on the fields between practices and games, just playing - no coaches, no parents, just players. They entered the playoffs with a 7-2 record earning them a 3rd seed and a rematch with a Westport side that handed them a 1-5 loss in week 2. With something to prove Wilton stepped on the game early, scoring four unanswered goals to advance to the final match. While the championship didn’t go their way, it easily could have with a few more favorable bounces. Their opponent, #1 seed Bethel, proved a tough group to crack as they went up 0-1 and secured an insurance goal late to close it out. Wilton finishes the season 8-3 and a divisional runner-up. The future is bright for this team!
Season notes on the rest of our playoff eligible U11+ teams — most of which participated in championship weekend…
Girls 2014 Blue won their final two games of the regular season to leapfrog into the playoffs in a highly competitive division. While they came up one goal shy in their semifinal match, the team had much to be proud of… they outscored opponents 27-17 on the season and secured their first ever win in a CT Cup game upstate.
Girls 2014 White demonstrated growth and commitment all season long. While they finished just out of the playoff picture, they played many a close game all season long with an even goals for/against ratio. From beginning to end, this group learned about each other and their potential and are ready to take another jump forward come spring.
Girls 2012 Blue had a season to be proud of securing a post season birth and advancing in the CT Cup. The team is known for its cohesiveness and commitment, leveraging teamwork and talent to put goals in the net and points on the board. They were toe-to-toe with the league’s #2 seed and eventual divisional winner in the semis until very late in the match. The future is bright for this group.
Boys 2014 White had a fantastic season finishing third in the league with a 6-2-1 regular season record. The team was known for an attacking style, high paced game and relentless pursuit on defense.
Boys 2014 Gold grew perhaps more than any other group… achieving a winning record that landed them in the playoffs. The team saw players find their confidence, increase their impact and learn how to win games, together.
Boys 2013 White outworked many an opponent all season long also securing a coveted playoff spot. The team’s willingness to compete each week showed well as they won more close games than they conceded.
Boys 2011/10 Blue took massive steps from the beginning of the season to the end. The team won the mid-season SCOR tourney, competed hard in CT Cup and finished 6-2-1 in league play to earn a postseason spot. This group is excited for the spring season ahead.
Next Up!
Hopefully some rest! .. but for those looking for more…
Field Takedown Day - We need help on Sat or Sun, Nov 22nd or 23nd (to be finalized) (meet at Allen’s Meadows shed). We will move goals aside, take nets down and bring sandbags in. This is fast work with many helpers and is an opportunity for service hours for our players too… please join us! Sign up HERE.
Striker/GK clinics (Tues) and Pickup soccer (Wed) at Lilly Field are in full swing. Must be registered to play, Sign up HERE
Winter training registration is open. Capacity is limited by the gym space we have available. Sign up HERE.
Indicate player availability for Westport WIN Tournament in TeamSnap ASAP. Event is March 16 (Boys) and March 17 (Girls). We will register teams with sufficient players committed. Spring season officially begins after this warmup event, with first practices in late March (weather permitting) and first league games in early April.
Fall 2024 Epilogue -
For those who have been around our program for a few seasons or more - all of the parents, managers, coaches, board members and more… you know it’s a team effort through and through to get our teams to the field, to help them grow, to build bonds and to have success. You also know that the road to success is never straight or without bumps along the way. It takes all of us to navigate this adventure.
We do not measure ourselves by results, but we have endeavored to build a foundation that is strong and enduring. One that empowers kids to play, to improve, to show up for their teammates and so much more. With these values embedded and reinforced from the bottom up, inside out and all around, the players and teams are thriving. They compete every single game. They are invested. They are having fun.
While we are excited to have grabbed a few ‘chips this weekend, we are more excited for the growth we’ve seen in almost every single player and team on the field and as people. That is in large part due to the efforts of our WSA family at large, all of you, each involved in some meaningful way, whether a coach, parent manager, parent fan, board member or anyone else who shows up and contributes or cheers for our efforts along the way. Every team and every player have a squad of supporters around them that makes it all possible. In the season of thanks, we say… thank you.
Congratulations on a fantastic fall season and happiest and healthiest of holidays to your families. We’ll see you on the fields again very soon!