RIDGEFIELD — Trumbull High suffered a second-half scoring drought, thanks to Ridgefield’s defense, and lost a 16-4 decision to the top-seeded Tigers in the first round of the Class L state tournament on Wednesday.
Coach Jim Kammerman’s 16th-seeded Eagles finished the season with a 10-9 record.
Ridgefield (16-3) will host No. 8 Staples (12-4) in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Reese Remelka and Zach Walsh scored back-to-back goals in just over two minutes to bring Trumbull within 5-3 early in the second quarter.
Goalie Josh Vaughn then made several of his 13 saves to keep the Tigers scoreless for more than five minutes. But Trevor Soli’s goal off a left-handed snap shot ended the dry spell, and Ray Dearth and Ryan Colsey followed with goals to push the lead to 8-3 at halftime.
The defensive play of Connor Riebling, Jack Dowd, Kai Prohaska, and Kees van Wees limited Trumbull to one second-half goal — scored by Vaughn following an unimpeded run down the field midway through the third period.
Ridgefield got that goal back when Owen Gaydos scored to put the Tigers ahead 10-4 through three quarters. The Tigers then scored all six goals in the final period to close out the win and end Trumbull’s season.
CLASS L FIRST ROUND
RIDGEFIELD 16, TRUMBULL 4
TRUMBULL 3 1 — 4
RIDGEFIELD 8 8 — 16
Scoring: Ridgefield — Quinn Caviola 5 goals, 1 assist; Ray Dearth 3 goals; Ryan Colsey 2 goals, 4 assists; John Mathes 2 goals, 1 assist; Trevor Soli 1 goal; Owen Gaydos 1 goal, 1 assist; Josiah DeGrasse 1 goal; Luke Winkler 1 goal, 1 assist. Trumbull — Shea Grant 1 goal; Reese Remelka 1 goal; Zach Walsh 1 goal; Josh Vaughn 1 goal.
Saves: Ridgefield — Dan Parson 3; Trumbull — Josh Vaughn 13.
Records: Ridgefield 16-3; Trumbull 10-9