Baker's Goal Sends Farmington Into 'LL' Quarterfinals

FARMINGTON – Kyle Baker simply reacted.

Midway through the first half, the reserve forward waited anxiously to enter the game. Moments later, he took his place in the glittering annals of Farmington High soccer.

Baker tucked a ball just inside the left post in the 21^st minute Monday to give the sixth-seeded Indians a 1-0 victory over No. 11 Staples-Westport in the second round of the Class LL tournament at Al Bell Field.

Farmington (13-1-3), which defeated Staples in the Class LL final a year ago, advances to the quarterfinals on Wednesday to play at third-seeded Norwalk on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

The game’s only scoring play began with Peter Wilbik controlling the ball about 10 feet in front of goalkeeper James Hickok. Baker, making a run to Wilbik’s left, found the ball on his left toe and just enough time to slide it past a diving Hickok with 19:36 remaining in the first half.

“I just saw the ball hit off the goalie and I was there,” Baker said.

Wilbik drew Hickok’s attention and dished it off.

“I was trying to dribble a little closer when I saw one guy cut in front of me,” Wilbik said. “I took a bad touch but it went right to [Baker’s] foot.”

The fact that sides like Farmington and Staples, a year after meeting in the final, were squaring off in the second round speaks to the depth and quality of the Class LL field.

“We got pumped for this game,” Baker said. “The rematch is always a big game and you’re always pretty insane out there. The guys played really good. We got it done.”

Farmington coach Steve Waters didn’t give the rematch concept much thought. The Indians are in their eighth season in the ‘LL’ division and the strength of the competition has become second nature to him.

“It’s another year, it’s a different team,” Waters said. “Except for seeing them in our bracket and thinking about it, it didn’t matter much. Quality teams in ‘LL’ are going to play each other {early]. There’s no avoiding it.

“They’re a class program. We respect their history and their players. It was a hard game.”

Both teams executed well, moving the ball through the midfield throughout the game but scoring opportunities were rare. The Wreckers (11-3-4), who eliminated Farmington in a 2006 ‘LL’ quarterfinal at Tunxis Mead on penalty kicks, had a slight advantage in shots but few came from within 20 yards.

“We have struggled all year [offensively],” Staples coach Dan Woog said. “Farmington’s had a tough time scoring, too. We try to make the most of the chances we had. This was our season in microcosm.

“We played 21 games this year and 16 of them have been [decided] by one goal or ties. If you’re any good at all, chances are astronomical you’re going to lose your last game of the season.”

Farmington has outscored its foes 29-7 this year. Staples scored 38 and allowed 12.

Much of the credit goes to central defender Julian Rose, who seemed to have the ball on his toe on most every Staples penetration, but Waters was pleased with his defense all around.

“We’re pretty balanced in the backfield,” Waters said. “I don’t know how many shots they got inside the [penalty box], maybe one in the first half? We didn’t mind them shooting outside the 20 because we have Austin [Peluso] in goal.”

Peluso came up big on two late first-half threats.

Staples forward Dylan Evans had a good look at the end of a free kick with under five minutes left. With just a minute to go before intermission, Peluso yielded a rebound off a shot by Jacob Malowitz but Rose quickly cleared the box.

Along with being flawless in executing saves, Peluso made snappy, aggressive decisions, varied his deliveries to start the Farmington offense and ripped into some long dropkicks.

“His concentration and focus have been spot on all year,” Waters said.

Staples dodged two quality scoring chances for Farmington early in the second half. Adrian Kukula and Tyler Hoffman each had good shots that Hickok repelled. The Wreckers began pushing numbers forward and controlled play through the middle of the half.

“We had some tactical things we could have done for that but I opted not to play it out,” Waters said. “That’s why we ended up with the ball on our side of the field with numbers up a few times trying to get that second one.”

Staples’ best chance of the night came with 16 minutes left when David Hoffman looked like he caught Peluso leaning but John Paul DiTomasso broke up the play. Ten minutes later, Staples’ Steven Smith ripped a hard shot that was deflected by the Farmington defense. The trajectory changed but it still headed toward the net and Peluso snared it.

Peluso has 12 shutouts this year and hasn’t been scored upon in two tournament matches. 

Farmington 1, Staples 0

Staples (11-3-4)         0 0 – 0

Farmington (13-1-3)  1 0 – 1

Scoring – F, Kyle Baker (Peter Wilbik), 21^st minute. Saves – S, James Hickok 6; F, Austin Peluso 6. Shots – S, 11-9. Corner kicks – F, 3-1.