Match Report: Staples vs. Fairfield Warde [UPDATED – WITH PHOTOS]
In the 1960s and ’70s, Staples soccer’s biggest rival was Brien McMahon.
In fact, for the first 10 years — when the FCIAC championship was a 1-game-only affair, just the finals — the Wreckers and Senators were the only 2 teams to qualify.
In the 2000s, the other Norwalk high school — the Bears — took over as Staples’ toughest competition. Then it was Trumbull. Now it’s Greenwich.
But in a town with jut one school, those rivalries don’t compare with Fairfield Warde vs. Fairfield Ludlowe.
Thursday’s match — for the very prestigious Swedish Cup — was a classic. The Mustangs prevailed 2-1, on a goal scored in — literally — the final second of play.
Warde was flying high, coming into this afternoon’s match at Tetreau Field. Adding more interest: the Mustangs’ new assistant coaches, Russell Oost-Lievense and Chris O’Dell, coached at Staples for 9 and 20 years respectively, until their contracts were not renewed. Both are former Wrecker captains.
Both still have great admiration and respect for the current Staples players and program, led by first-year coach Liam Witham. Oost-Lievense and O’Dell downplayed any hype before today’s match. In fact, they organized “Gold Game” fundraisers today, involving both teams, to benefit LivFree, a pediatric cancer research organization. (The 2 squads were going to wear special game socks too. But the manufacturer messed up the order, so the Westporters wore gold tape instead.)
There was no miracle finish for Warde this time. Their stout defense held the Wreckers at bay for 73 minutes. But after many close calls, near misses and clearances off the line, Staples finally broke through. Ford Epstein’s poke, off Brendan Allen’s left-footed, in-swinging corner kick, was the difference in the hard-fought match.
After the visitors fired a shot 10 seconds after kickoff, the game settled into a pattern. The Wreckers attacked, Warde defended, then pushed forward when they could. The Mustangs showed Oost-Lievense’s influence, with a short-passing style. And O’Dell’s too, with grit and intensity.
Opportunities came from the combination play of Allen, Epstein, Josh Whitaker and Noah Rossoni. Emmett Zahler continued to impress at outside back, while his fellow defender on the right side, Gabe Hellmann, attacked relentlessly out of the back.
Staples continued to create opportunities off of corners. Hellman, Whitaker and Adrian Rodriguez all deliver dangerous services. But not until 7 minutes remained did the blue-and-whites solve Warde’s defense.
It was a tough result for the Mustangs, who could have earned 1 point with a draw. For Staples, the victory meant 3 more hard-earned points, as the road to the post-season continues. FINAL SCORE: Staples 1, Fairfield Warde 0. FCIAC RECORD: 7-2-0. OVERALL RECORD: 8-2-0.
QUICK KICKS: Staples’ next matches are Monday (at Fairfield Ludlowe, 5 p.m.) and Friday’s Senor Day (at Wakeman vs. Trumbull, 4 p.m.) ….
The results are in from the recent car wash. The varsity, junior varsity and freshman combined to earn $3,908 — a record ….
The junior varsity beat Fairfield Warde 3-0. Kai Massicott scored a brace, and Spencer Cammeyer added a solo strike. Assists came from Ciaran Kennedy and Jack Fenn. Spencer Derakhshan had great offensive chances ….
The freshmen downed Fairfield Warde 6-1. Spencer Hollander and Max McDermott tallied twice; Lucas and Jeff Weber also scored.
Ford Epstein (2nd from left) celebrates his goal at Fairfield Warde with (from left) Noah Rossoni, Dylan Shackelford and Gabe Duque.
Josh Whitaker outraces a Warde defender.
Adriano Carpi (All photos/Michael Cammeyer)
