WHS Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer Sweep Senior Nights

[adapted from Good Morning Wilton article]

• Boys Beat St. Joe’s, Girls Down Westhill

• WSA teams participate in Senior ceremonies

• WHS and WSA honor 25th anniversary of 1998 Boys State Champs

“Senior week” was a special one for the WHS varsity soccer teams and their senior players.

The boys varsity side celebrated its fifteen seniors including three captains, Declan Zadourian, David Unruh and Graham Kowal, while the girls side celebrated seven seniors including two captains, Fiona Gibbons and Isabel Barbieri. 

With the support of WHS Athletic Director, Bobby Rushton, WHS Soccer Boosters and the voice of Wilton High School Athletics, Franey Donovan, on the PA system, the WHS soccer seniors were honored in a pre-game ceremony for their commitment to their sport and their teams, their school and their town.  They have been great role models and contributors to the community, in school, on the field and off. 

Each senior was recognized for their participation and achievements, as they soaked up the adoration of the high five lineup of Wilton Soccer Association youth players before entering the pitch where they were congratulated by coaches and teammates and eventually greeted by their parents for a hug and a photo by Gretchen McMahon.  The senior recognition was well earned and well appreciated by all.

The contributions of the senior class (boys and girls) are significant across all areas of our community.  The senior class includes team captains, multi-sport athletes, National Honor Society members, honor roll students, TOPSoccer leaders, WHS club leaders, volunteers for various other local groups and so much more. 

The boys team played first in a Tuesday evening tilt against St. Joseph’s. 

With the crowd buzzing, the Warriors exhibited confidence and tenacity that resulted in extensive pressure on the St. Joseph’s defence early and throughout the match.  The starting lineup was nearly all seniors and all fifteen seniors saw significant time. 

After a period of possession, Wilton grabbed the lead midway through the first half on captain to captain connection. Declan Zadourian found David Unruh in front of the goal who beat the keeper with a one timer to the corner of the net, giving Wilton a 1-0 lead. Before the half was out, Senior Cole van den Heuvel notched a second goal for the team off an assist from Unruh which put the Warriors up 2-0 at the half. 

At halftime, the Warrior fans enjoyed another special moment as members of the 1998 Wilton High School boys State Championship team gathered at the center of the pitch.  

2023 marks the 25th anniversary of their 1998 State Championship.  Members of that team, Sean Roy, Tom Cerabino, Rich Flory, Liam Cooney, Adam Weberman and Marcelo Tamayo met for a photo and received a warm applause from the Lilly Field crowd. 

The second half saw the Warriors give up an goal early, drawing St Joseph’s back into the match. The game from there was back and forth for much of the half until the Warriors added a much needed insurance goal with about seven minutes remaining off a series of positive connections. Matt DeMasi gathered and flighted the ball from the right flank across the 18 yard box where it fell to senior forward Alex Pravia who worked his way free and laid it back to Andrew Partenza who struck a first time shot past the St. Joseph’s keeper at the right post making the score 3-1.  

St Joseph’s would grab a late goal to tighten the score line yet again, but the Warriors prevailed 3-2.   The Warriors followed the St. Joseph’s game with a tough road loss to Westhill that saw Wilton comeback from an 0-2 deficit on Ethan Lipper and Declan Zadourian tallies.  Unfortunately, Westhill scored next and did not relinquish the lead again.   

Thursday night brought the Warriors’ girls team to the Lilly Field stage for their senior night.  The squad has been playing quality soccer all season and is battling for a place in the FCIAC playoffs. Westhill came to play, but the Warrior seniors had their team focused and ready and they led by example.  

From the opening whistle, Wilton was in control.  Senior Sophie O’Neill helped set a tone with a high level of intensity through the midfield leading to an eventual first goal by senior MaryKate Doyle. Doyle scored off a Kaitlyn Zizzadoro assist giving the Warriors a 1-0 advantage at halftime. 

Halftime of both the boys and girls games featured the “Warrior Dash”.  Youth players from Wilton Soccer Association between the ages of 3 and 15 took to the field to dash from one end to the other as the crowd cheered them on.  

Inspired by the youth, the Warriors came out and imposed their gameplan on Westhill, resulting in many more Warrior attempts at goal.  

Senior Fiona Gibbons broke through and notched a goal off another Zizzadoro assist which was later followed by a Riley Doran (senior) goal from a third and final Zizzadoro assist, giving the team three goals and Zizzadoro three assists. 

The Warriors out shot Westhill and gave up little on the defensive side of the ball.  

The three Warrior goals were all scored by seniors, while another senior, Addison Dobson, secured the Warrior shutout from the goalkeeper position. Isabel Barbieri and Alexa Furst, both key members of the Warrior side, did not play due to injury, but their positivity and leadership were certainly felt by their teammates.