Match Report: Staples vs. Norwalk [Photos Added]

In a season of stops and starts, the Wreckers started red-hot tonight at Norwalk.

There were no fans at all in the vast Testa Field stands to watch Staples pass magically around the field, in the first 20 minutes.

But there were plenty of cars at the Remarkable Theater. That’s the pop-up drive-in at the Imperial Avenue parking lot. In a first for Staples soccer — and possibly high school soccer anywhere in the country — the Wreckers livestreamed tonight’s match on the huge screen, for soccer fans all across Westport to enjoy. Jake Gersh and Max Dorsey were on the call for WWPT-FM, with Robert Brickley and Tom Henske providing color commentary.

There was a lot to call, and plenty of color to comment on. The blue-and-whites’ short passing game was on from the start. Midfielders Zach Pulichino and Murilo Moreno found the feet of Alan Fiore and George Smith outside; they linked with Graham Barnes and Haydn Siroka, utilizing the full field to spread the Bears out and attack with pace and precision.

Central defenders Surya Balaji and Bruno Guiduli kept Norwalk at bay, while Jackson Hochhauser and Jack Foster provided support on the sides.

Staples’ pressure paid off just 9 minutes in Jack Foster’s long ball to Siroka’s header tested the keeper. He fumbled the ball, which caromed in off the far post.

Just 7 minutes later it was 2-0. Fiore knuckleballed a 25-yard free kick into the left corner, with poise and uncanny accuracy.

Norwalk looked to halve the deficit in the 22nd minute, on a penalty kick. But keeper Sebi Montoulieu guessed correctly, knocking the shot away with a strong dive to his right.

Balaji kept the clean sheet in the 28th minute, covering well on a breakaway. By that point the Bears had clawed their way back in, knocking the ball well themselves and testing the Wreckers’ ability to hold a lead.

A free kick — Staples’ defensive nemesis all year long — was headed in just 2 minutes before halftime.

The 2nd half was evenly played. The Westporters gave up several corner kicks, each one a danger. Reed Caney — the Wreckers’ 3rd keeper to see action this year, and 2nd in this game — made several key punch saves.

The tide turned again in the waning minutes. Staples managed the match well to the end, notching their 3rd consecutive victory after a slow start to the season.

In their first 2 home-and-away series this fall, the Wreckers avenged losses in the rematch. On Monday, it’s Norwalk that will be looking for revenge. Kickoff is 3 p.m., at Loeffler Field. FINAL SCORE: Staples 2, Norwalk 1. SEASON RECORD: 3-2-2.

QUICK KICKS: Co-captain Jack Douglas was operated on today, to repair a torn ACL. He watched the victory from home ….

On Saturday, Timothy Liakh’s long ball to Spencer Levine was the difference, in the reserves’ 1-0 win over Wilton ….

The freshmen fell 2-0 to Wilton on Saturday, despite dominating play. Earlier they downed Ridgefield 6-1, on goals by Lucas Carpi (2), Avery Mueller, Archie Lynch, Adam Kostak and Jackson Cregan (penalty kick). The Tigers’ lone goal came on a PK.