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Darien came into Sunday’s Connecticut Class L state championship game as a favorite to add another title to its extensive trophy case.
Henry Dodge and Staples had other plans. The Eclipse 2022 and Staples senior faceoff middie, a Vermont signee, was out of this world. He won 15 of 18 faceoffs and added an assist for the Wreckers as Staples, coached by Eclipse director Will Koshansky, stunned the Blue Wave with a 12-3 rout.
Gavin Rothenberg, a junior, hammered home four goals for the Wreckers. Staples also got a hat trick from Prime Time 2022 Charlie Howard (Boston University), as well as three assists from senior Ryan Thompson (Prime Time / Richmond). Freshman goalie Josh Marcus, part of a strong Eclipse 2025 team, made five saves to preserve the win for the Staples.
NLF No. 44 senior Matthew Minicus (Eclipse / Loyola), recently named to the National Senior All-American Game, had a goal and an assist to pace Darien. Eclipse ’22 midfielders Christian Alliegro (Navy) and Joe Cesare (Georgetown) each tallied once for the Blue Wave.
Check out the highlights above from Owen Palmer.
Staples 12, Darien 3
Box score courtesy of CT Insider
Staples 4 5 2 1 — 12
Darien 0 1 2 0 — 3
Staples (19-3)
Gavin Rothenberg ’23 4 goals
Charlie Howard ’22 (Prime Time / Boston University) 3 goals
Derek Sale ’22 2 goals, 1 assist
Aidan Best ’22 1 goal, 2 assist
Ryan Thompson ’22 (Prime Time / Richmond) 3 assists
Mason Schaefer ’22 1 goal, 1 assist
Leo Sequenzia ’23 (Eclipse) 1 goal
Henry Dodge ’22 (Eclipse / Vermont) 15-for-18 faceoffs, 1 assist
Josh Marcus ’25 (Eclipse) 5 saves
Darien (20-3)
Matthew Minicus ’22 (NLF No. 42 ’22 / Eclipse / Loyola) 1 goal, 1 assist
Christian Alliegro ’22 (Eclipse / Navy) 1 goal
Joe Cesare ’22 (Eclipse / Georgetown) 1 goal
Cam Weibel ’22 5 saves
