Xavier Soccer Secures Eighth Conference Title With Late Strike
Rays Kisaku’s second-half goal lifted the undefeated Falcons past Wilbur Cross in the SCC final at Ken Strong Stadium.
By Elena Perry ·
Xavier High School boys soccer players returned to the top of the South Central Conference after defeating No. 3 Wilbur Cross 2-1 on Wednesday. The match took place at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. This victory marks the eighth conference championship for the Falcons and the fifth in the last ten years. The team enters the state tournament as the No. 2 team in the GametimeCT rankings with a 17-0-2 record.
The game featured a defensive battle that lasted until the final minute. Wilbur Cross, which played in its first SCC championship game, took an early lead. Leo Castellano scored the opening goal for the Governors at the 6:29 mark off a direct kick. Xavier goalkeeper Rodolfo Fraschilla allowed only that single goal across the three-game tournament. He was named the tournament Most Outstanding Player for his performance.
Xavier equalized in the first half. John Staron scored the tying goal at 20:25. Wilbur Cross goalkeeper Luis Rodriguez made eight saves during the match, including a stop on Staron's initial attempt in the second half. However, Rodriguez could not control the rebound from that specific shot. The ball stayed in play near the goal line.
Rays Kisaku, a junior, capitalized on the rebound. He scored the winning goal at 41:26, just one minute and 26 seconds into the second half. Kisaku said he promised Coach Brian Fitzgerald a championship when he joined the program. It took three seasons for that promise to be fulfilled. The player described the play as a result of constant movement and anticipation near the frame.
Kisaku stated that he runs for the ball whenever Staron shoots because he knows it is likely to be on frame. He observed that the goalkeeper was bound to deflect the shot. He then chased the loose ball and placed it into the net. The Falcons finished the game with 17 shots on goal compared to six for Wilbur Cross.
Coach Brian Fitzgerald noted that the team maintains high expectations every season. He emphasized that the players work for their results and that the team culture remains consistent. Fitzgerald described the victory as a hard-fought win against a quality opponent. He said the team knows the goals are to win the division, the conference, and the state title from the start of the season.
Wilbur Cross coach Scott Raffone called the result bittersweet. He said the team came to the game to win and that the players battled hard. Raffone expressed pride in the effort put forth by his squad. The Governors finish with a 14-3-2 record. Xavier goalkeeper Fraschilla said the opposing team pressured him until the last second and that he remained on high alert throughout the match.
