Danbury soccer beats No. 6 Staples for 1st time since 2014, will get signature FCIAC win
DANBURY – For the final decade, the Danbury soccer group has been on the lookout for the signature win within the FCIAC that proves it belongs among the many league’s elite. It lastly obtained that win Friday night time as quarterback Jake O’Keefe used his arm and his legs to raise the Hatters to a 17-10 win over No. 6 Staples, knocking the Wreckers from the ranks of the unbeaten.
It was Danbury’s first win over Staples since 2014.
Danbury celebrates beating No. 6 Staples in Danbury on Oct. 9, 2026. (Scott Ericson/Hearst Connecticut Media)
“It feels nice and feels prefer it has been 4 years coming,” stated O’Keefe, who has began for Danbury since halfway by way of his freshman season. “I’m simply so happy with them, and it’s one thing we’ve at all times had on our thoughts and we knew we might come out and beat them, and we did it.”
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O’Keefe ran for the sport’s opening landing on an 11-yard run, capping an 85-yard drive earlier than Staples ever noticed the ball.
“I do not suppose we’ve scored on the primary drive this 12 months, and we did it,” O’Keefe stated. “We knew it might set the tone for the remainder of the sport.”
O’Keefe was out for final week’s loss to Ridgefield due to a concussion suffered towards St. Joseph.
Danbury moved to 2-2, however this win was about greater than being .500.
“It means every little thing,” stated Danbury coach Augie Tieri, who took over this system in 2018. “These boys have labored so exhausting for this and we all know that nearly each week we’re enjoying a top-10 group as a result of we play within the FCIAC and we’re proud to do this.”
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The Wreckers, who fell to 4-1, haven’t been 5-0 since they went unbeaten within the 2012 common season.
Staples coach Matty Jacowleff put the loss on himself.
“Credit to Danbury, that could be a large win for that program,” Jacowleff stated. “They had a plan, they have been ready they usually have unbelievable gamers. I must do a greater job placing our gamers able to achieve success. I really feel like if I did a greater job making ready our gamers, we’d be in a distinct place than we’re proper now.”
Staples obtained a first-quarter discipline purpose by David How from 35 yards for its solely factors earlier than halftime.
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Danbury pushed the result in 14-3 on a 20-yard cross from O’Keefe to John Callari within the second quarter.
The Wreckers reduce the result in 14-10 on an 80-yard cross from Grant Bozeman to Levi Belzer within the third quarter, however couldn’t maintain any extra drives the remainder of the sport.
Belzer additionally had two interceptions for Staples.
Staples’ solely fourth-quarter drive to achieve deep into Danbury territory ended with an interception by JJ Reyes with 4:14 left. Reyes’ return helped arrange a 17-yard discipline purpose by Jorge Ceballos, Danbury’s solely rating of the second half.
Player of the sport
Jake O’Keefe, Danbury:
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His two touchdowns have been large, however his poise is what gained the sport for Danbury, particularly getting the Hatters off their very own purpose line on two separate events.
Quotable
“(O’Keefe) is simply so powerful. He hung within the pocket and made some unbelievable throws tonight, and there aren’t many youngsters within the state that may make these throws. The poise he confirmed the 2 occasions we needed to dig out of our personal finish zone, we do not win the soccer recreation with out getting out of these conditions. He made some huge performs down the stretch, and that is why he’s a big-time quarterback.” – Danbury coach Augie Tieri.
Danbury 17, Staples 10
STAPLES 3 0 7 0-10
DANBURY 7 7 0 3-17
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D-Jake O’Keefe 11 run (Jorge Ceballos kick)
S-David How 35 discipline purpose
D-John Callari 20 cross from O’Keefe (Ceballos kick)
S-Levi Belzer 80 cross from Grant Bozeman (How kick)
D-Ceballos 17 discipline purpose
Records: Staples 4-1; Danbury 2-2.
This article initially printed at Danbury football beats No. 6 Staples for 1st time since 2014, gets signature FCIAC win.
