Kisaku's Late Goal Ends Xavier's Two-Year SCC Drought
The Falcons defeated Wilbur Cross 2-1 on Wednesday to claim their eighth Suburban Clubs Conference title.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
Rays Kisaku finally delivered on a promise he made to his coach three years ago. On Wednesday, the Xavier junior scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Wilbur Cross at Ken Strong Stadium, securing the eighth Suburban Clubs Conference championship for the Falcons.
Kisaku entered the game having missed the final two seasons of the program's recent run. The Falcons had won four consecutive titles from 2020 through 2023 before losing out in the past two years. With this win, the team added its fifth conference trophy in the current decade. The Falcons, who finished the season with a record of 17 wins, zero losses, and two draws, were ranked No. 2 in the GametimeCT standings.
Wilbur Cross, a No. 3 seed, made its first appearance in an SCC final. The Governors entered the game with a 14-3-2 record and had previously tied Xavier 1-1 during the regular season. Leo Castellano gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the first half with a direct kick. Xavier goalkeeper Rodolfo Fraschilla made two saves in the match and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He allowed only that one goal across the three-game tournament.
Xavier equalized in the first half. John Staron scored at the 20:25 mark. The decisive moment arrived in the second half. Staron took an initial shot that Wilbur Cross goalkeeper Luis Rodriguez saved. Rodriguez made eight saves in the game but failed to control the rebound. Kisaku chased down the loose ball and put it in the net at the 41:26 mark, one minute and 26 seconds into the second period.
"I always know it's going to be on frame, so on that play I saw it, the keeper is bound to deflect it," Kisaku said. "From then, I just chased it down and put it in the back of the net."
Xavier coach Brian Fitzgerald noted that his team maintains high expectations for its players. "We hold them to a high standard and every year that culture doesn't change, that standard doesn't change," Fitzgerald said. "A hard-fought win against a quality opponent like Wilbur Cross is great."
Wilbur Cross coach Scott Raffone praised his team's effort despite the loss. "It's bittersweet because we came here to win. The kids battled their rear ends off," Raffone said. "I'm so proud of them, so proud of the effort."
