West Hartford’s Hall High School boys soccer team traveled to Newtown High School on Tuesday night to face Staples High School (Westport) in a CIAC Class LL semifinal game.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Savannah Cote

The Hall Titans battled through adversity all season long, overcoming injuries, lineup changes, and tough competition, but their remarkable run came to an end just short of the state championship game. Hall fell 3-1 to a strong Staples team in the CIAC Class LL semifinals on a cold and blustery night at Newtown High School, closing the book on a season defined by resilience, heart, and unity.

Hall’s goal on Tuesday, scored in the second half, was scored by Aiden Winiarski off a deflection from the goalie, and was assisted by Lincoln Bush.

To reach the semifinal round, Hall pieced together an impressive postseason stretch, starting with a 1-0 win over Fairfield Warde in the first round. The Titans followed that up with a dominant 4-1 victory over Brien McMahon, before shocking the state with a 3-0 upset over previously undefeated Naugatuck in the quarterfinals. That statement win, over the top-ranked team in their class, secured Hall’s place in the final four and proved that they could compete with any program in Connecticut.

Though their journey ended with the loss to Staples, the Titans displayed determination and poise throughout the tournament, continuing to fight despite several key players being sidelined with injuries. Their effort, teamwork, and depth carried them further than many expected.

Earlier in the year, Hall also made a deep run in the CCC tournament, advancing all the way to the finals before falling just short in a penalty shootout against Tolland. Despite the heartbreaking ending, the team’s chemistry and determination were evident all season long.

After the semifinal loss, head coach Zeke Seguro reflected on what his team had accomplished.

“I think we exceeded expectations given the circumstances, you know, with key players out. We had a season where we only saw a full squad healthy, one game all year,” Seguro said. “So, for us to achieve what we achieved by making the CCC final and to get to the final four of a Class LL, I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. They gave me everything and more. And today we came across a team that was better than us. I thought they had more to play, more opportunities. But we didn’t lack determination and effort. We gave it a fight to the end, and they never quit. And as a coach, I just can’t ask for more than that.”

Seguro’s words summed up the Titans’ identity – a group that refused to give in no matter the circumstances.

Goalkeeper Rodrigo Ballesteros was a major key to Hall’s success, recording multiple shutouts and making highlight-reel saves throughout the season. His performances in the postseason, especially against Warde and Naugatuck, were instrumental in the team’s playoff run.

Senior captain Benjamin Goldstein provided leadership on and off the field, helping keep the team composed through adversity. Meanwhile, Liam Deloreto made a successful switch from defense to offense, finishing the year with double digits in both goals and assists. Several other Titans, including Sebastian Acker Candela, notched their first career goals and assists, showing the program’s growing depth and future promise.

Although Hall’s season ended one step shy of a state championship appearance, the Titans proved themselves as one of Connecticut’s toughest and most resilient teams – a group that played with pride, heart, and an unwavering belief in one another.

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