Match Report: Staples vs. Brien McMahon
Lucas Carpi’s 55th minute goal electrified Staples, and drew them level 1-1 with Brien McMahon tonight.
But the Senators — who had taken the lead just 7 minutes earlier — notched two late goals. That lifted them to a 3-1 Senior Night victory, in front of a loud home crowd.
Both sides entered the match battling for FCIAC and state tournament berths. The win lifts Brien McMahon to 6-8-1 — and drops Staples to the same mark. The Wreckers close out their regular season on Monday, with a 4 p.m. Wakeman Field match against Fairfield Ludlowe. A victory ensures qualification for the state tournament.
Today’s match was played on McMahon’s short, narrow auxiliary field (the original one, back in the Coach Ralph King days — though now turfed), due to a freshman football game in Jack Cassagrande Stadium. It was played at a fast pace, with end-to-end action.
Staples was without Matt Shackelford, who injured his knee Monday against Norwalk. But they were bolstered by the return of Cole Lieberman. The defender returned, after suffering stitches above his eye earlier this year.
With Lieberman, Hunter Smith, Ben Douglas, Campbell Gerrard and Alex Laskin playing steady defense, keeper Nick Sikorski was not tested much in the first half. He did save a bullet in the 20th minute. Two minutes later, a Senator snaked through, but shanked his shot.
At the pother end, Avery Mueller was denied in the 25th minute with a great save on a quickly taken free kick.
The hosts snagged the lead 8 minutes after intermission. A free kick from the top of the box on the left side was lofted perfectly, into the far right corner.
The equalizer started with Adam Syah. Jonny Costello got the ball on the right side and found Carpi. He finished briskly into the far left corner. His first varsity ever could not have been bigger.
Energized, the Westporters went on the attack. But a shot from close range off a corner put them back on top, in the 61st minute.
With Staples again controlling play, the Norwalkers got an insurance goal with a 68th-minute penalty kick.
Staples played hard to the end. But McMahon managed the match — and managed the important 3 points for victory. FINAL SCORE: Brien McMahon 3, Staples 1. SEASON RECORD: 6-8-1.
QUICK KICKS: The reserves fell 2-0 to Brien McMahon. They are now 4-5-1….
The freshmen edged Brien McMahon, 2-1. They are now 8-1-0.
Ben Douglas and Hunter Smith (3), key Staples defenders. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)
