Staples Ousts Defending Champion Shelton From Class LL Girls Soccer Tournament

The Staples girls soccer team pulled off a shocker Saturday, eliminating defending state champion Shelton 1-0 on penalty kicks in the second round of the Class LL tournament.

The game went to a fourth round of penalty kicks before the Wreckers advanced after outscoring the Gaelettes by a final tally of 14-11.

Staples, the 20th seed, will visit FCIAC rival Westhill, the No. 5 seed, in the quarterfinals on Tuesday (2 p.m.).

Shelton, which defeated Westhill 1-0 in last season's Class LL final, concluded the season at 15-3-3.

Staples goalkeeper Jesse Ambrose came up big at the end of regulation and in overtime to get the match to penalty kicks.

Three minutes into the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, Ambrose made what the Staples' website called the save of the season. With the defense caught by a through ball, Ambrose dove at a shot headed for the upper left corner and knocked it wide of the goal, keeping the contest scoreless.

In the first round of five kicks,Chloe Rosenfield, Abby Fagan, Alex Wiener and Jesse Ambrose all converted for Staples (10-5-3) before Ambrose stopped Shelton's final attampt to extend the match.

In the second set, Staples was down 3-1 after three kicks, but Gea Mitas converted to keep the Wreckers alive.

After Ambrose made another season-saving stop, Siri Andrews tied it for Staples and Ambrose stopped the Gaelettes' final attempt to send the penalty kicks to round three.

After the third round couldn't settle things, Turner Block, Lauren Garcia and Ali Crofts scored in the fourth round for the Wreckers to finally end the marathon match.

Staples converted 14 of 19 kicks with Mitas, Garcia, Wiener and Rosenfield each finding the net twice and Ambrose making five saves.