Darien Defeats Westhill 3-2 In FCIAC Boys Soccer Playoffs

Eric Kanigan scored two goals Friday, the second on a penalty kick with 1:07 remaining in the first overtime, as Darien defeated Westhill 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the FCIAC boys soccer playoffs.

The surpise team in the FCIAC this under first-year coach Jon Bradley after going 2-6-7 last season, the Blue Wave advanced to the semifinals to take on No. 2 seed Trumbull. That game will be played at Fairfield Ludlowe on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Darien (12-2-3) avenged an early 7-1 loss to Westhill on the field, although the Blue Wave were later awarded a victory after the Vikings were forced to forfeit three wins for using an ineligble player.

Darien survived Friday despite squandering a 2-0 halftime lead. Marcus Iqbal opened the scoring 10 minutes into the contest before Kanigan converted a header with 16 minutes left in the half.

Westhill (9-6-2), the No. 6 seed did not go quietly, tying the contest in the second half on goals by Jacques Baudoin and Enzo Caso, who scored with under five minutes left in regulation to force overtime.

After starting 0-5, which included the three forfeits, the Vikings finished the regular season 9-0-2 to complete their improbable run to the FCIAC playoffs.

Three of the higher seeds advanced Frday as No. 4 seed Staples opened its quest for a fourth consecutive FCIAC title with a 1-0 win over No. 5 Greenwich.

No. 2 seed Trumbull extended to penalty kicks but held off No. 7 seed Wilton, 2-1 (8-6 in the penalty kicks).

No. 8 seed New Canaan pulled off the day's lone upset, stunning top seed Norwalk 2-1 in the quarterfinals for the second consecitive year.