Last season, the Wreckers reached the LL Class semi-finals, losing 1-0 to eventual champion Farmington in what would be Woog’s last game.

Woog has said the 2021 squad is one of their more special groups of players.

“I can say I love them and they left everything on the pitch,” Woog said after the semi-final game. “I can say the Farmington coach, who have a fantastic team, said they haven’t been pushed like this all year. In all the years that I have coached I haven’t seen a race like this or a group like this. Their chemistry, attitude, professionalism and attention to each other. You name it, I’ve never had a band like this.

Woog released a statement announcing his retirement on Friday:

“With a full heart, great joy and immense appreciation for countless friendships and a lifetime of memories, I chose this time to retire as the Head Coach of the Staples High Boys Soccer Program. School.

“Now is the perfect time to make room for the next generation of coaches. Our program is strong and dynamic. We’re coming off a very successful season, with one of the best senior groups I’ve ever worked with. Our excellent staff kept the pipeline going.

“I started coaching in 1975, the same year I graduated from Brown University. I’ve coached dozens of teams, including secondary teams at Staples, and in 2003 I was named head coach. I am only the third permanent varsity coach in the 63 years of the program.

“Work with thousands of athletes; traveling the world with teams, spending 19 years in the beautifully intense world of college football and playing a small role in helping boys grow into young men – on and off the pitch – has been the privilege of my life.

“I have coached players who have evolved in MLS and who have won national university championships (as a player and coach). I have coached players who have left their mark on the world in a wide variety of professions and in their communities as volunteers. Football has touched them all, in many ways. They touched me too, many of them deeply. I wouldn’t be who I am without them.

“Likewise, my life has been enriched by so many colleagues: coaches with whom I have worked and against whom I have competed. Administrators, coaches, teachers, soccer volunteers – all have made me a better person.

“I’m proud of the state championship we won at Staples, our four CFIU titles and the many teams that only missed a game or two. I’m also proud of the 18 Academic All-American awards we’ve won for the GPA team, and the tens of thousands of dollars we’ve raised for scholarships and causes like cancer research and underprivileged youth.

“I often say ‘There is more to life than football, and there is more to football than football.’ I still don’t know what that means, but I got more out of this game than I could have imagined.

“I’m quitting training, but not playing. I will continue my work with United Soccer Coaches at the national level – focusing on high school and LGBTQ advocacy issues – and with the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association. I will continue to write for Soccer America.

“And of course I’ll be cheering on Staples football from The Hill at Loeffler Field. I’m told it’s the best place in the state to watch a game.