Match Report: Staples vs. Wilton

After graduating 22 seniors last year, Wilton faced a rebuilding fall. But their 4-8-2 record before today’s Senior Night match at slick, wide Lilly Field included recent excellent results: a 1-1 tie with Danbury, and a 2-1 win over Darien.

With 2 games to go, the Wreckers have clinched an FCIAC playoff berth. They needed 3 points to secure a home game in the quarterfinals. They also had a different lineup. Anton Mahr was out (concussion). Daniel Reid was out (muscle injury). Matt Engler continues to recover from a broken wrist.

The Warriors took command in the first 5 minutes. But with Jannis Dietze running midfield, and Thomas Nealon patrolling the left defensive flank, Staples went to work. Chris Martenson was his usual rock in the back, Teddy Lawrence took care of the right side, and Timmy Liles made the most of his right midfield start.

Wright and Matteo Broccolo sliced nice balls through; Nealon found Luca Cocito with a great long ball, and Stephen Rowland had a chance up top too. The 1st half ended scoreless though, and at the break the players themselves took over to talk about what they needed to break the deadlock.

A nifty move by Dietze and Spencer Daniels cross led to a rebound that Rowland nearly buried. Keeper Ziggy Hallgarten boxed a dangerous ball long.

Then in the 53rd minute, Nealon laced a free kick from 35 yards out into the mixer. Rowland’s backward head flick beat the keeper, and the Westporters were on the board.

Two minutes later Broccolo’s strong shot was bobbled. Staples scored in the ensuing scrum, but the referee ruled a foul in the box.

Josh Berman headed just wide off a corner kick. The visitors were knocking on the door.

Suddenly, with 14:20 to go, Wilton got a free kick against the run of play. Griffin Klinga, on the back post, power-headed in Ryan McNamara’s service.

Staples came right back. Nealon’s free kick led to a corner. Lawrence’s shot was saved. With 2:30 to play, he headed over the bar, off another Staples’ 5th corner of the night.

That was their last chance of the night. The Wreckers ended with a record-breaking 6th tie of the season — and another huge contest on Monday, against a very strong Fairfield Warde side.

The playoffs seem like they’ve already begun. FINAL SCORE: Staples 1, Wilton 1. SEASON RECORD: 7-2-6.

QUICK KICKS: Albie Loeffler’s 1973 team had a remarkable 13-0-6 record. They had 5 regular season ties; tied Brien McMahon 1-1 for the FCIAC championship, then won the state title 1-0 over Manchester. In 2002 — Jeff Lea’s last year as head coach — Staples went 9-4-5. All 5 draws came in the regular season….

The reserves went up 3-0 in the 1st 12 minutes at Wilton, en route to a 7-0 win. Stephen Frost (2), Jared Wainshal, Tom Messenger, Brad Cox, Jake Didner and Josh Buckman all scored….

The freshmen beat Wilton 4-2. Taddeo Messenger (2), Carter Bassler and Sam Liles scored. Emerson Anvari played well.