Match Report: Staples vs. Ridgefield
When Staples scored just 45 seconds into their match against Ridgefield today, it looked like the rout was on.
For the second time.
The Wreckers scored twice in the first 23 minutes in their season opener against the Tigers, 2 1/2 weeks ago. But lightning ended that contest. And because less than one half had been played, the entire game had to be replayed from the start.
But the Tigers had been 3-1-1 since then, including most recently a 3-0 victory over Norwalk, and a 0-0 draw against a strong Stamford squad — a team the Wreckers also tied.
The hosts’ quick lead, in today’s rematch at Wakeman Field, was illusory. Though the blue-and-whites had a solid first half, the second 40 minutes was a different story. Ridgefield’s quick, creative passing — coupled with occasional field-opening long balls — provided many opportunities to draw level.
Only airtight defense, and strong goalkeeping by Nick Sikorski, kept the 1-0 scoreline.
Then, with only 1:12 left, Staples got their insurance goal, against the run of play.
Their initial goal was well executed, Zach Gorin earned a quick corner kick. He took it himself, driving a ball high into the box. Avery Mueller outleaped a defender several inches taller, and headed a well-timed ball with authority into the back of the net.
Undaunted, the visitors’ flicks and layoffs kept them in the game. Jack Schwartz’s crunching tackle in the box in the 27th minute augured what his fellow defenders would have to do, time and again in the second half.
Staples had opportunities to double their score. Gabe Hellman sent Mueller in. Keeper Adam Janzon punched it safely away. Then Gorin and Mueller were both saved.
At the other end, Sikorski responded well, deftly snagging a deflected shot.
After intermission, Ridgefield took command. Sikorski saved a low, hard blast. Two minutes later he ranged far outside his box to save again.
In the 54th minute, defender Santi Alfageme came up with a huge tackle, on a near breakaway. The co-captain then headed the ensuing corner kick out of danger. A few minutes later, Alfageme made another alert stop.
The Wreckers had a few strong moments. Janzon made two huge saves in the 71st minute. After Luca Escalarte’s important tackle, the Wreckers surged forward. Jonny Costello earned a corner. Then Adam Syah won a ball behind midfield. He found Elliot Galin, who quickly fed fellow junior Emmett Nivaud. He did not hesitate either, blasting low and hard into the far left corner.
The twin goals — one very early, the other quite late — gave Staples another 2-0 edge on Ridgefield.
And this time it counted. FINAL SCORE: Staples 2, Ridgefield 0. SEASON RECORD: 4-0-1.
QUICK KICKS: The Wreckers continue their long home stand on Thursday. Undefeated (6-0-0) Greenwich comes to Wakeman, for a 4 p.m. match ….
Both the junior varsity and freshman games were postponed today, due to wet grass. Luca Caniato reports that last Friday, the junior varsity looked strong at Darien. Josh Whittaker forced the keeper to save a 30-yard free kick. Brendan Allen swooped in on the loose ball, and scored. Thirty minutes in, Spencer Girling received the ball in the back, turned quickly and pinged a 50-yard cross to winter Sam Rossoni. He settled it, shifted it to his left foot, and clipped it into the box where a crashing Zach Gillman scored. A few minutes later Gillman drove the line and cut it back to Michael Brennan. He slotted it first time into the top right corner. Rossoni then found the ball at midfield, spun his defender, and let fly a shot from the top of the box that the keeper had no chance at. Gillman ended the scoring in the second half, playing a 1-2 with Ford Epstein and lacing a shot into the far netting.
Avery Mueller gets air — and scores against Ridgefield.
Elliot Galin patrols midfield. (Photos/Mark Sikorski)
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