Boys’ soccer team disqualified from state tourney

Huddling+up

Abigail Martinez

Huddling up

The boys’ soccer team has been disqualified from their state tournament run because of a player’s ineligibility due to grades.

Dave Ruden, editor of the popular Ruden Report that covers high school sports, broke the start late Friday morning.

Athletics Director Chip Salvestrini’s office door was shut, with a note on it saying “Meeting in Progress; do not disturb.”

Ruden was tweeting his interview with Athletics Director Chip Salvestrini and Coach Anthony Howard.

“Danbury thought it was in compliance on player’s eligibility,” Ruden reported. Salvestrini said he double-checked. [He] is taking the blame.”

He quoted Howard, who is in his first year as coach, as saying: “I’m just devastated really. I just feel bad for the boys.”

Danbury had a brilliant run this year, making it to the state final for the first time since 1998. The team was set to play Farmington tomorrow, Nov. 19, in New Britain for the state Class LL crown.

On Tuesday, the team defeated Shelton to move on to the title game. Now, however, that win will be forfeited and Shelton will play Farmington.