Season Wrap and League Playoff Preview!
Nearly two weeks into November and many of our teams are still playing fun and meaningful soccer!
This coming weekend, seven (7!) Wilton teams will participate in league semifinals, having qualified as one of the top four teams in their respective divisions. As reminder, only U11+ teams have playoffs, whereas U9-10 developmental seasons have concluded (no standings kept or playoffs for these ages).
For many of our teams, league playoffs are another great accomplishment that follows success in the state-wide CT Cup tournament and positive performances in their Labor Day and Columbus Day tournaments.
For a little wider perspective, we thought we’d share some interesting facts about the momentum across the program over the last few years.
The travel program has expanded from 13 total teams (<5 years ago) to now 25(!) total teams, with the number of players nearly doubling
This fall, Our U11+ teams (age groups where these stats are tracked), won or tied 56 games for a 60% winning percentage and netted 250+ total goals (~2.5+ per game)!
We hit a new decade high for CT Cup wins in a season, six (6!) (we also had more than a few matches go to penalty kicks which did not go our way!)
Hit a new decade high for league playoff qualifying teams…seven (7!) … read this to your kids, guarantee they will be both proud and laugh… “6 [Cup wins], 7 [playoff qualifiers]!”
And last for now, our pipeline is super strong as more than 500+ players participated in our recreational programs this Fall, an exciting number!
Oh yeah one more for the record books… WSA teams consumed more than 50 pizza pies in all at WSA’s sponsored end of season pizza party celebrations!
2016 and 2015 Boys after a friendly match this past weekend
While we do not focus on results as a program, we are proud that our focus on culture, commitment and consistency has created an environment for growth and success.
We seek to challenge players and teams while supporting them with an ecosystem of fully invested coaches, managers and parents that truly care. When the families and partners to our teams go “all in” on our groups, our teams thrive.
In addition, our not-for-profit status means we are able to ensure that all players can participate (no financial or logistical challenges to building the best and most exciting hometown teams) and that multi-sport and activity, a critical ingredient for growth at critical ages, remains both possible and a priority.
We are more excited than ever about the future of Wilton Soccer.
Here’s a rundown of our playoff qualifying teams - let’s get out to support them this coming championship weekend. All matches are at pre-set times and locations across the county. Semifinals are on Saturday, November 15th and Finals, for those who advance, are Sunday, November 16th.
Boys 2015 Blue - wrapped their league season with a 5-3 record (all 3 losses by 2 goals or less), scoring 25 goals and conceding only 14 during the season. This group works hard during practices, gathers often for pickup games and always comes to play on game days. They advanced to the CT Cup quarterfinals, eventually falling to perennial power Old Greenwich in a very close match. They play New Canaan in the league semis in Trumbull on Saturday.
Boys 2014 Blue - another quality season for this group as they won 4, tied 3 and lost only one match during league play, with their one loss coming by just one goal to top seeded Bethel, a team they tied this past weekend in a stalemate that secured their playoff berth. The team also advanced in the CT Cup and won their Columbus Day tournament despite monsoon-like conditions! The team scored 25 goals and gave up only a dozen throughout league play, a surefire formula for success. They’ll try to topple #1 seeded Bethel in their Saturday semifinal at West Beach fields in Stamford.
Boys 2011 Blue and 2011 White - Both our 2011 Boys teams have qualified for league playoffs, a tremendous accomplishment and one that bodes well for the future of Wilton Soccer. The two teams combined for 11 wins, 5 ties and zero losses! They scored 53 goals and gave up only half as many. This group is one of the most dedicated and close knit crews across the program, having developed and grown together for nearly an entire youth cycle now. They have proven that time together, on the field, playing pickup, working on skills and growing as a team are X-factors that pay off. There is no substitute for dedication to your craft and each other. Shout out to this group for also hosting our first ever “Election Day Play Day” organizing and leading what many of our 2017/2016 Boys described as “the most fun day of soccer they ever had!”. Our Blue team will play Weston in their Saturday semi, and our White team will take on Brookfield in a “home” match on Lilly Field on Saturday. We’ll be pulling for the double!
Girls 2014 Blue - This squad closed out their league season with a convincing 5-0 win at Danbury to bring their season record to 6-1-1. The team was both prolific on offense and stingy on defense, scoring 30 goals while conceding only 11. In their two tournaments, they had a record of 5-0-2 and outscored opponents 16-1. They won their opening CT Cup match handily vs. East Granby, then thoroughly outplayed eventual semi-finalist Suffield only to fall in PKs by one shot. They will take on a tough New Canaan side on Saturday at West Rocks Field in Norwalk in their league semifinal matchup.
Girls 2013 Blue - Our 2013 Blue side is one we are extremely proud of for their progress and potential. The team re-assembled this season after a year apart with a talented group ready to compete. The team played in the top division and was competitive in each match. The squad posted a 4-1-3 record by employing an organized style that kept opponents off the scoreboard. The team will play Newtown on Saturday in its semifinal match at Darien High School.
Girls 2011 Blue - And last but not least, our 2011 Blue side is another that has grown together over many years. They are a team through and through, playing hard and always having fun. The team strung together five wins vs. only 3 close losses with every match close. They will play Monroe in their semifinal matchup on Saturday at Westport’s Wakeman turf.
We are very proud of all of our U11+ teams as all battled all season, some landing just outside playoff contention. A break here, a goal there and they also may have been in the playoff picture.
Our U9-10 teams across both the boys and girls also had impressive seasons - we do not measure wins and losses at these ages, as each game is used as a learning experience, but the growth of our players was significant and the potential for these groups is super high.
The strength of Wilton Soccer is not one team or one age group, it is the collective — the whole of us buying into our belief in each other, our players, their coaches and our teams. Each team is a part of something much bigger.
Let’s get out and support our playoff teams this weekend — cheer on our blue and white (respectfully!)…
#WEAREWILTONSOCCER #ONETOWNONETEAM
Finally, a few reminders:
Thank your team managers and coaches! They put in countless hours to make it all happen for our teams. Wilton Soccer is built on a strong foundation of coaches and vols who show up and deliver every single season! Thank you!
Late Fall Soccer starts Tuesday, November 11th. Your player must be registered to participate. More info HERE
Winter Soccer registration will open soon. We’ll have sessions for each age group during the week and on Sundays. More info to come!
Spring season will begin in late March and early April. Please reach out to your team managers, or Coach Dave, if you have any questions or to chat.
We will be delivering our $4,500 donation to Pink Aid, the sum total of donations received as part of our pink socks in October effort for Breast Cancer Awareness month, great work team!
Have a happy, healthy and relaxing holiday season ahead, you have earned it!
2011 boys after a hard fought match
2017 Girls celebrating their first ever season together!