Match Result: FCIAC Quarterfinal, vs. Norwalk [UPDATED – PHOTOS]

When Staples played Norwalk in the fourth game of the boys soccer regular season, the Wreckers won handily: 6-0.

The FCIAC tournament began today, with #2 Staples hosting the #7 Bears. With the stakes high, and Norwalk out for revenge, this result would surely be different, right?

It was. The score, at windy Wakeman Field, was even more definitive: 8-0.

The victory vaults the Wreckers into the league tournament semifinal. They’ll play #3 Stamford — who handled #6 Danbury with ease, 4-0 — on Thursday, at Fairfield Warde. Game time is 5 p.m. The Black Knights are one of only 2 teams to defeat Staples this year, by a 3-1 count.

Staples’ onslaught began with a goal just 24 seconds after kickoff. That tally — and 5 in the first 23 minutes, plus 6 in the first half — may be Staples post-season records. They may be FCIAC marks too.

Both squads were locked in, during warmups. But the blue-and-whites pressured from the first whistle. Gabe Duque carried the ball down the left side. Noah Rossoni’s shot was cleared off the line. But Brendan Allen was right there, to finish cleanly.

A raucous celebration followed. It was only the first.

Five minutes later, Josh Whitaker powered forward on the right side. He beat his defender, then caromed a shot in off the far post.

In the 15th minute, it was Whitaker again. He took Duque’s cross, and slotted a no-angle, smooth-as-silk ball in, again to the back post.

The hosts did not let up. Five minutes after that Whitaker again raced upfield, taking his man on. His cross found Noah Rossoni, who tucked it in with poise.

Some Staples teams in the past have failed to stick the dagger into opponents, allowing them back in the game.

This squad stuck it in. And then twisted it.

The fifth goal was created by Adrian Rodriguez. The junior saved a ball on the end line with a great effort, kept it in play with a slick move, then smoothly knocked it home.

A small moment near the end of the first half epitomized Staples’ focus. Allen was fouled near midfield, and landed on the turf. Many players would have waited for a call. But the University of Scranton commit bounced up so quickly, the referee did not have time to whistle. Allen won the ball back, then raced ahead on the attack.

In the 35th minute, Spencer Girling’s long free kick found Owen Perry. He heded it goalward, where Rodriguez touched it in.

There was no second-half letup. Defenders Girling, Dylan Shackelford, Adriano Carpi and Emmett Zahler (replacing Gabe Hellmann) made life easy for keeper Jack D’Amore. Drew Hill did his usual no-nonsense cleanup work at central midfield.

Allen got the 2 final goals: a 67th-minute strike, after a shot off the crossbar, and a penalty kick 6 minutes from time.

It was another strong, full-team performance for Staples. But when they take the field Thursday, the score will once again be 0-0. FINAL SCORE: Staples 8, Norwalk 0. SEASON RECORD: 15-2-0.

QUICK KICKS: Besides Stamford’s 4-0 quarterfinal win over Danbury, the other FCIAC results were #1 Greenwich edging #8 Fairfield Warde 1-0, and Ridgefield topping Darien 5-3 on penalty kicks, after a 0-0 draw ….

Staples is one of 6 teams vying for the Ruden Report Team of the Week. Click here to vote. The deadline is Tuesday night.