Match Report: Staples vs. Fairfield Ludlowe

The Wreckers ended last week with a 0-0 draw against league-leading Ridgefield. They began this week against the team team with the fewest losses in the FCIAC. Fairfield Ludlowe came to Loeffler Field with a 7-1-4 mark. But in the topsy-turvy FCIAC, those 4 ties — most recently, 0-0 at Darien on Saturday — was good only for 5th place in the race for 8 league tournament spots. Staples (6-3-4 before today) sat 7th.

The Falcons were aided by a strong 1st-half wind. The Wreckers were helped by the return of Anton Mahr — back after 2 matches sitting out a yellow/red card suspension. They still missed the services of Timmy Liles (injury).

Mahr added punch up top. But Staples held back on their press as the wind blew hard. Defensively, with Chris Martenson, Ryan Fincher, Nick Ambrose and Gabe Baltierra in back — and Matt Engler and Will Birch sticking in hard at midfield — they held their guests at bay for much of the opening 40 minutes.

Ludlowe’s biggest offensive threat was a spectacularly long throw — from 40 yards out, well into the goalmouth. Keeper Ry Cohen punched clear early. He also saved a free kick in the 29th minute.

Staples’ first good chance came in the 11th minute. Mahr hit Steven Frost, whose long ball was bobbled.

Then, a minute before halftime, Engler launched a free kick. Vaughan Sealey rounded the defense, and broke free — but his shot caromed off the inside of the far post.

The blue-and-whites pressed in the 2nd half. But the wind abated, and the coaches gave them only a “B” for their pressure efforts.

Birch’s excellent free kick midway through the period was his side’s best chance. Ludlowe’s came in the 72nd minute, off a corner kick. Cohen saved nicely.

The Wreckers attacked hard, to the end. Fincher ripped a shot with 30 seconds; then they earned a corner kick, with 5 seconds to go. Still, for the 2nd straight match they drew 0-0. They’re picking up points playing teams above them in the standings. Now just 2 matches remain in the regular season. They must win both — and even then, an FCIAC playoff berth is still not assured. FINAL SCORE: Staples 0, Fairfield Ludlowe 0. SEASON RECORD: 6-4-4.

QUICK KICKS: Staples has now qualified for the state tournament. It’s their 58th state tourney in 59 years….

In addition to the wind, temperatures today barely reached 50. It was the first true “fall” match of the year…

The reserves beat Fairfield Ludlowe 3-0. Nick Hein got the hat trick, with assists from Emerson Anvari and Wilson Daniels. Freshman keeper Spencer Henske — filling in for the reserves’ 2 injured keepers — stopped a late penalty kick to preserve the shutout….

The freshmen topped Fairfield Ludlowe 4-1. George Smith, Zach Pulichino, Ben Lafontan and Sam Seideman scored. Coach Russell Oost-Lievense praised the entire team, and singled out Seideman, Eli Kogan, Marcos Inglada, Aidan Middlebrook and Haran Eiger.