Game Report: Staples vs. Trumbull
In sports, sometimes one team has another team’s number.
In FCIAC soccer, Trumbull has Staples’. Since 2004, and before today, the Wreckers had a 1-5-7 record against the Eagles.
Trumbull usually succeeds by winning air battles. Staples knows what’s coming, but often takes the bait.
Today, they vowed, things would be different. Coming off a 4-0-2 preseason — including a 2-1 victory over New York City powerhouse Martin Luther King — the 2015 Wrecker team said they’d play their game, on the ground.
It didn’t happen. Like so many teams before them, the blue-and-whites put the ball in the air, at McDougall Field. The results were predictable.
After a scoreless — and fairly equal — 1st half, the coaches thought the opening-match jitters might be gone. Staples did try to play their game at points during the 2nd 40 minutes — particularly when central midfielder Daniel Reid settled things down — but a lack of communication all over the field, and a lack of bite and composure up top, resulted in few telling chances.
A 60th-minute foul far upfield seemed harmless. But the Eagles turned it into a goal when 3 passes later Max Neary finished from 15 yards out.
The visitors had a few chances late in the game — most notably in the final 2 minutes, with a free kick just outside the box, dead on — but poor positioning and execution doomed them.
“This is not the way we want to start,” said head coach Dan Woog. “It was a typical Staples-Trumbull match — not very pretty, and they outgunned us. None of us are happy. But we have faith in our guys. They get a chance to show what they can do on Thursday.” The Wreckers are on the road again, with a 6 p.m. encounter at Tiger Hollow in Ridgefield. FINAL SCORE: Trumbull 1, Staples 0. Season record: 0-1-0.
QUICK KICKS: Prior to the match, Trumbull’s announcer paid a nice tribute to Scott Coleman, the former Staples soccer player killed in the World Trade Center terror attacks 14 years ago today….
Staples’ opening day lineup included Ziggy Hallgarten in goal; defenders Kenji Goto, Josh Berman, Chris Martenson and Matteo Broccolo; midfielders Daniel Reid, Matt Engler, Spencer Daniels and Aidan Wisher, and forwards Daniel Brill and Daniel Perez Elorza. That’s 4 seniors, 5 juniors and 2 sophomores. Injured seniors Graham Gudis, Noah Schwaeber, Grant Sirlin and Jack Zeldes are expected back soon….
Nicky Hoberman’s reserves got off to a great start, with a 3-0 victory in Trumbull. Shane Dasbach started things off, with a 25-yard free kick. Danny Jersey then crossed to Steven Frost. The 3rd score started as a Steven Rowland rip; Will Birch ran on to finish. Luka Autard commanded the backs, while Thomas Heisler excelled in goal….
Wilson Daniels scored in the 1st 15 seconds for coach Chris O’Dell’s freshmen, who overwhelmed Trumbull 8-1. Daniels added another; Josh Zhang netted 2, and Ollie Lindenbaum, Brad Cox, Tom Messenger and Jared Wainshal also scored.O’Dell cited Vaughn Piccirillo-Sealey for his command of midfield, and Messenger for his play in back.
Sam Kantor and Spencer Daniels defend at Trumbull. Daniel Reid patrols the left, while Ziggy Hallgarten is in goal. (Photo/MaryGrace Gudis)
Ziggy Hallgarten saves, and Kenji Goto covers. (Photo/Mary Grace Gudis)
