Staples vs. Fairfield Warde
The weather changed from rain to sun to clouds today, at Fairfield Warde. The grass was high. The Wreckers were playing their 3rd match in 5 games.
Both teams were fighting for an FCIAC playoff berth. The Mustangs’ season so far featured a 2-2 draw with New Canaan — #2 in the league. All of that made for a contest that started very evenly.
Midway through the 1st half, though — not long after Andrew Travers moved to midfield — the Westporters found their rhythm. Travers went forward well, and with Harry Birch, Joe Greenwald, Jordan McNair and Diego Alanis winning balls and attacking, Staples slowly took control.
But the match seemed headed to a halftime draw, when — just 48 seconds before the whistle — the Wreckers struck.
Yousef Shahin’s throw to Travers came back to the junior defender. Shahin beat one man, then hit Greenwald. The co-captain settled, and sent a crossing ball to Greg Shikowitz. Shikowitz — also a defender who had raced forward opportunistically — finished well.
The blue-and-whites opened the 2nd half with a great counterattack, which McNair turned into a corner kick.
In the 47th minute, Jack Scott won a ball and fed Travers. He tore up the sideline, made a great turn near the endline, and drove a ball into the goalmouth. Alanis, in perfect position, scored with an unorthodox — but very effective — torso push.
Sam Koenig came on to provide a midfield spark. Staples substituted liberally, with no letup at all — in fact, they Wreckers gained momentum. Connor Weiler and Nate Argosh looked particularly effective.
Despite winning their 3rd game in 5 days, there is no rest. Staples hosts Trinity Catholic tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 13, 12 noon), in a match postponed from an earlier date by weather.
Next week features 3 more games: Harding (home, Monday), Fairfield Ludlowe (away, Tuesday) and Westhill (home, Thursday).
“It’s been a good week — so far,” said head coach Dan Woog, referring to the 3 matches following last Friday’s disappointing 0-0 draw in Trumbull.
“Our job now is to keep it going. We’re getting a rhythm, we’re getting guys into the box — and I think everyone is having fun. As we like to say: The best is yet to come.” Final score: Staples 2, Fairfield Warde 0. Season record: 6-3-1.
QUICK KICKS: Staples has been nominated as one of the Stamford Advocate Teams of the Week. Voting begins soon — watch StaplesSoccer.com for the link….
Despite missing 3 starters to illness or injury, the junior varsity shut out Fairfield Warde 2-0. Steven Sobel’s long throw was headed in by Ryan Ruggiano; then Daniel Boyce knocked in Gabe Pensak’s great feed. James Rubin, Charlie Jersey and Sterling Price all had very strong games for coach Seth Sholes’ side….
Eight different players scored in the freshman team’s 9-0 victory over Fairfield Warde. Graham Gudis got 2, while Daniel Perez-Elorza, Josh Konowitz, Liam Borner, John Fincher, Max Hammer, Thomas Jones and Michael van der Merwe netted 1 each.
Patrick Beusse controls upfield at Fairfield Warde. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Staples’ ace videographer Matt Hodes, at work at Fairfield Warde. (Photo by Carl McNair)
