2013-2014

2013: ‘HEAD’-ING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The 2013 pre-season opens with a 5-0 victory over Fairfield Prep, a battle-back-twice 2-2 draw with Wethersfield, and a lackluster 2-0 loss to Newtown. But the Wreckers avenge last year’s defeat to Choate by a 3-0 margin, then close out pre-season with a 1-1-1 record at the Wethersfield jamboree.

Staples does it – and enters the season – without Jordan McNair. The junior sparkplug elects to play with the Beachside academy team, the 1^st Wrecker to join the new program.

Regular season

Live tweeter is a new position for Staples soccer. Ben Cion’s clever work draws a large crowd to the Loeffler Field home opener against Danbury. Foster Goldberg starts at right back in place of Connor Weiler (illness), but quickly hurts his knee. The senior is out for at least a month. It is a harbinger of things to come all year. Sophomore Joe Pravder nets the 1^st goal; defender Andrew Puchala slams in the 2^nd, off a corner kick, as the home side opens with a 2-0 victory.

New Canaan’s high grass is no problem for Staples. But a collision between co-captain Jack Scott and Ram captain Alex Robey is. Scott suffers a concussion, and will be gone for a while. A 50^th-minute goal – Charlie Leonard’s patient cross into the goalmouth is headed home hard by Yousef Shahin – secures that win.

High grass at Harding’s Hedges Field is a problem. So are the Presidents. Playing with conviction, they draw 1^st blood, in the 29^th minute. But the visitors go ahead, as Michael Reid heads in Steven Sobel’s long throw and Shahin converts a penalty kick. The equalizer comes on a high, bouncing ball. Both teams press for victory – and Harding gets it, catching Staples on a counter with just 2 minutes to play. In 21 years in the FCIAC, it is just their 2^nd victory over the Wreckers. The 1^st came in 1997.

An intense training session prepares the stunned Stapleites for Ridgefield – with Greenwich, a consensus choice to win FCIACs. But unmarked Adam Findlay stakes the visiting Tigers to an early lead. Staples claws back, and 2 minutes before halftime co-captain Diego Alanis laces in Pravder’s corner.

In the 47^th minute George Kokkalis creates chaos in the box on another corner. For the 2^nd match in a row, the blue-and-whites have come from behind. But a fingertip save by keeper Noah Schwaeber redirects the ball to the foot of another unmarked striker, whose easy tap-in allows a 2^nd straight 2^nd-half equalizer. A fine save denies Alanis in the final minute.

Staples needs a win on Saturday afternoon at St. Joseph. But they must get it without Scott, Goldberg, Shahin (ill) and Gabe Pensak (concussion). The Cadets field one of their best teams in years, on their narrow field.

Kenji Goto starts in back – the sophomore’s 1^st varsity minutes ever. Junior Nate Argosh gets his 1^st start too, up top. The gritty, windy 1^st half ends scoreless.

But Sobel’s long throw leads to a goal by Puchala. Sobel’s long cross is mis-struck by St. Joe’s for an own goal. The hosts halve the advantage to 2-1, but the Wreckers – with 2 key saves from Schwaeber, and fancy footwork by Andreas Bru – gut out the win.

The home match against Central starts with the same 4 starters out – and ends with a 5^th. Weiler – the hard-running, tough-tackling defender – rips his hamstring, and will be out for perhaps the season. In the 59^th minute Shahin skips a corner across the goalmouth. Puchala punches it in. That’s all Staples needs – but the injuries and nail-biting are not over.

Homestanding Wilton (4-1-0) has lost 2 key scorers to Beachside academy. The Wreckers (4-1-1) get Scott back, but Alanis goes out with an ankle injury. A makeshift lineup sees Leonard moving to right back – where he performs admirably – and sophomore James Lewis plugging center back in only his 2^nd appearance of the year. Michael Reid shows well on both sides of the ball at central midfield.

Scott celebrates his return by pounding a 20^th-minute rebound home. That’s all the scoring – but all Staples needs. After an opening 2-0 victory, they’ve now played 5 1-goal matches, and a draw.

A Saturday morning home game without 5 starters will test the Wreckers’ depth – and mentality. Midway through the season, Puchala is the only experienced defender. But Shahin, Reid, Pravder and Patrick Beusse lock down midfield against Brien McMahon. Scott heads a goal in early; 6 minutes later Puchala power-heads in Shahin’s cross. Sophomore Daniel Perez-Elorza makes it 3 header goals. Daniel Boyce’s varsity debut ends in a score – and he tacks on another. Sterling Price, Sebo Hood and James Rubin all see their 1^st varsity minutes, though Rubin is injured and lost for the season. Sophomore keeper Brenden Price also comes on for the 1^st time. The 1^st half of the season ends with the injured, battered Westporters holding a 6-1-1 mark.

It takes Staples 30 minutes to score their 1^st goal on winless Trinity Catholic’s short, narrow and bumpy field. But just 18 seconds after Scott heads in a corner, Leonard strikes from the left corner. Then Bru feeds Leonard for his 2^nd tally, Bru finishes Graham Gudis’ long ball, and Bru gets his own 2^nd goal.

The Norwalk match is far more compelling. With the Barbecue Club grilling on the terrace, a large crowd sees Scott drive in on goal. The ball is parried away, but Leonard crashes the box for a classic follow-up score. Both sides have chances, with Schwaeber saving several times well as Norwalk has a strong 15 minutes after intermission. With 5 minutes left Argosh delivers a great cross. Scott’s left-footed volley from the top of the box is called one of the best goals ever at Loeffler Field.

Trumbull comes to Westport holding Staples’ number. Since 2003, the Wreckers are just 1-4-6 against the Golden Eagles. The dull 1^st half is quite different from the 2^nd. In the 48^th minute Puchala bulls forward, almost willing the ball over the goal line. Schwaeber is forced into 2 quick saves, then 2 more tough ones. But he – and probably not even Tim Howard – can save Alberto Aguillon’s bending, left-footed free kick into the upper corner that knots the score. For the 7^th time in a decade, the 2 rivals tie.

Which leads to Greenwich. The Cards are soaring: 10-0-1, with 22 seniors on their big-in-both-numbers-and-size 29-man roster. A big Saturday crowd is on hand at Cardinal Stadium, for the clash against 8-1-2, #2-in-the-FCIAC Staples. They see the Wrecker defense of Puchala, Kokkalis, Lewis and Goto bend but not break.

First blood is drawn by Staples, 6 minutes after halftime. Alanis’ long free kick finds Puchala. The tall junior defender heads home a split second before keeper Santiago Irigoyen can grab it. Greenwich counters with an equally stunning goal, 2 minutes later. Both Alanis and Schwaeber are knocked to the ground, when Jon Palmer scores. Schwaeber – dazed – leaves the match with a concussion. Price comes on cold.

For the next 14 minutes, action is hot – and even. Then Alanis clears spectacularly off the line, but Ryan Flippen drills in the rebound. Three minutes later Patrick Santini – son of former WSA player Mike – makes it 3-1. The final goal, with 6 minutes to play, comes off a defensive error. Greenwich is for real.

At Darien, Puchala (muscle pull) joins Schwaeber, Weiler and Pensak on the sidelines. The 1^st half is ragged, though Staples leads 1-0 on a Leonard goal. His 2^nd strike gives the visitors a seemingly impregnable advantage, even as Leonard, Scott, Argosh and Perez-Elorza are denied. But while Goldberg is playing nicely in his 1^st outing back, Kokkalis is out for 10 minutes after being knocked in the head (the trainer must be summoned by walkie-talkie).

With 15:35 to go, the Blue Wave snipe a goal back. Just 4 minutes later, they draw level. The action heats up, at both ends. With a minute to go, Reid’s go-ahead goal is ruled offside. The Wavers attack – and also are offside. 20 seconds remain. Price races 20 yards beyond the box to sail the free kick upfield. A mis-clear dumps the ball at Pravder’s feet. He takes one touch, finds Beusse on the right side just inside the box. The junior settles the ball, looks at the keeper – and blasts a shot into the back netting. The clock shows just 12 seconds to go. Pandemonium reigns, as Staples celebrates the junior’s 1^st-ever varsity goal.

Mid-October brings 80 degrees and Fairfield Warde to Westport. Scott’s 4^th-minute goal, Pravder’s gorgeous 35-yard 1-touch tally, Scott’s header and Sobel’s 25-yard, caroming-off-the-far-post rocket secure a 4-1 win.

Fairfield Ludlowe is tougher. Puchala returns after a 10-day muscle pull; Pensak is back after a long recovery from a concussion. Pravder blasts in Beusse’s rebound, but the Falcons stun Staples with a score 5 seconds before halftime. They slip ahead on a defensive lapse, and with the 2-1 victory – their 2^nd in a row over Staples, after never beating them before – leapfrogs them over the Wreckers into 2^nd place in the league.

Westhill must win the final regular season match – and get help from 2 other teams – to make the FCIAC tournament. Staples, now 4^th, can guarantee a home game with a victory. Yet Shahin is added to the injury list, along with a reinjured Puchala. In the 29^th minute Scott hits the post. Two rebounds also miss. Price – filling in for the still-injured Schwaeber – saves slick Junior Cordeiro brilliantly, keeping the 1^st half scoreless.

But Cordeiro capitalizes on a 50^th-minute breakaway. Staples responds well, but Alanis and others are saved. The Wreckers keep coming – but a long shot by Cordeiro is counted by the officials, though the final horn has already sounded. The Wreckers end the regular season 10-4-2 – and with a 2-game losing streak, plus their 1^st shutout of the year.

FCIAC tournament

#5 Wilton comes to #4 Staples’ on a beautiful fall Saturday. An enormous crowd packs The Hill. The Wreckers are invigorated by the return of Schwaeber and Puchala. Alanis misses just high 2 minutes in. In the 5^th minute, 2 saves deny the hosts. Other Staples free kicks and corner kicks are gathered in by keeper Will DeSantis.

The Warriors strike in the 25^th minute, on a counterattack against the run of play. It’s Wilton’s 1^st shot of the day.

Hard play intensifies. There is a scuffle just before halftime; Wilton’s Justin Shepard and Staples’ Kokkalis receive a red cards.

In the 2^nd half, with 9 field players each, the game opens up. The Wreckers pile up corner kicks – 8, compared to the Warriors’ 2 – but there seems to be a force field in front of the net. With 12:42 left – again, against the run of play – Jack Brandt scores his 2^nd goal. This time the culprit is a deflected clearance.

Staples fights like Warriors. But Wilton manages the clock well, attacks hard enough to create problems, and ends the Wreckers’ league title hopes with a crushing blow. It’s Staples’ 3^rd loss in a row – and 2^nd straight shutout.

State “LL” tournament

The Wreckers are reeling. But 48 hours after Wilton – at Monday’s training – a new attitude emerges. All 25 players commit themselves to a week of hard work. With a rejiggered lineup, they look sharp and confident in Friday’s 2-0 scrimmage win over SWC power Masuk. One key: the return of Weiler, Pensak and Puchala. The junior defender says, “I feel like I’ve parachuted into a new team.”

With Beusse and Reid assuming new roles, Scott and Shahin taking new places, Pravder nailing his midfield spot and Alanis and Leonard pressuring relentlessly, the #10 Wreckers attack early against Norwalk. Yes, Norwalk: the team that ousted them in the 2^nd round of the 2012 state tourney.

Despite swarming defense and driving deep into Bear territory, the 1^st half ends scoreless. Schwaeber makes his best save of the season 8 minutes after halftime: a tip over the top on a twisting ball. But – as against Wilton – keeper saves, defensive clears, and misses-by-inches keep the Wreckers off the score sheet.

Argosh, Gudis, Perez-Elorza and Sobel come off the bench, and add spark. Overtime looms. Suddenly – with less than 2 minutes to go – Pravder races onto an errant clearance. 30 yards from goal, on the side by The Hill, he launches a left-footed half-volley. The ball rises, flies over keeper Tyler Dalton’s head, and nestles firmly in the back netting.

The Wreckers fly too, into a delirious pig pile. The crowd goes berserk. Just 1:39 shows on the clock. Staples has roared back to life.

Their new life earns them a trip to Newtown. No one is talking about the pre-season loss to the Nighthawks – or previous classic state tournament encounters. The only talk is about the #7 team, playing at home on a slick surface.

The hosts control the 1^st half, playing at a pace they like. Yet with Weiler, Puchala and Pensak working well defensively, there is little deep penetration. Newtown’s shots come from long range, or are rushed. Schwaeber saves several corners.

Weiler saves a ball off the line, and it seems Staples will head into halftime for a much-needed breather. But today it is their turn to score against the run of play. Alanis’ long free kick is headed sideways by Scott. The keeper tries to save, but Puchala knocks it forward. Alanis’ header hits something – a post? a player? – and Scott pounces. He bangs the loose ball home.

Staples spends halftime talking about the need to be cool, calm and in control. Newtown comes out unable to maintain their frenetic 1^st-half pace. The Wreckers gain the territorial edge. The defense – including Reid and Beusse – bend, but don’t break.

Newtown never sends another man forward. The tempo is Staples’. Weiler saves off the line; Shahin tackles strongly – and then it’s over. No last-second heroics. Just a brutally fought, hard-won battle. It’s on to the quarterfinals, against 17-0-4, #2 Xavier-Middletown.

After a pair of nail-biting 1-0 victories, no one knows what to expect. The venue – Oakwood Soccer Park, Xavier’ home field (though 20 minutes from the school) – is something new, for sure. The bleachers are minimal, there is no clock, and the team benches are about 2 inches from the field. It’s an odd environment for such an important match.

And the injury bug once again bit Staples. Scott – the perpetual motion machine – injured his foot against Newtown (after scoring the game-winner). He finished that match on pure adrenaline, but does not start at Xavier. He cannot stay off, though. He comes on after 10 minutes, and though nowhere near 100%, plays the rest of the contest. His spark and speed are key.

Staples keeps the ball on the ground well. The Falcons switch sides through midfield nicely. But the newly configured back line of Weiler – in only his 3^rd game back; Puchala (still not 100% after 2 injuries) and Pensak (recently returned from a concussion) — is smart and strong.

Staples squanders its few opportunities. Xavier cashes in on one of theirs, 8 minutes past halftime. A long shot by Brendan Butler from the left side caroms off the underside of the crossbar. It lands directly at the foot of Joey Zacchia. He finishes from close range.

“They’ll be coming right at you!” Xavier coach Brian Fitzgerald yells at his players – and Staples does. The Wreckers fight as fiercely as they have all year – which is a lot. But the Falcons do a great job of defending, while going forward to keep Staples honest.

The blue-and-whites have 2 golden chances in the final 10 minutes. One is set up by great work from Pravder and Shahin. The other is an excellent cross. Both times, there is no finish.

Finally, the game is over. So is the Wreckers’ season. It’s a crushing end to a year highlighted by tremendous excitement, fantastic chemistry, great camaraderie, an exciting post-season run – and the inevitable thoughts of what might have been, without 4 concussions, a brutal hamstring tear, and a host of other injuries all year long.

Quick Kicks

Once again, Staples earns National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic All-America honors, for a team GPA average of at least 3.25….

Jack Scott is named Staples’ Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year….

Staples’ 3^rd varsity keeper is freshman Ziggy Hallgarten…

Rebecca Lowe – NBC Sports’ Premier League analyst (working with Kyle Martino ’99 and Mike Carey ’01) – becomes an avid Staples soccer fan. She now lives in Westport….

Coach Seth Sholes’ junior varsity finishes the year 9-2-3. Coach Chris O’Dell’s freshmen are 12-0-0, surrendering only 3 goals all fall.

RECORD: 12-6-2
CO-CAPTAINS: Diego Alanis, Jack Scott
COACH: Dan Woog

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2014: 3 GOALS DOWN? NO PROBLEM!

Pre-season

It’s billed as Staples’ “toughest pre-season ever” – and it is. After a 2-2 draw with Fairfield Prep, the Wreckers travel north to reigning New England prep school champ South Kent. In the 1^st match ever on their new field, the Cardinals – boasting Mickey Watson, who goes on to be the state Gatorade Player of the Year — score 2 excellent goals. But the final 30 minutes see Staples pressure their hosts all over the field, as the starters roar them on.

Just 48 hours later, Martin Luther King High School comes to town. They’re the New York City champs – and have been for 14 of the last 17 years. The 1^st 40 minutes are even, ending 2-1 for the visitors. Two late goals give them a comfortable victory. But Staples looks well organized. The highlight of the day is a Barbecue Club cookout at Compo Beach, followed by a mix-and-match volleyball game. Head coaches Dan Woog and Martin Jacobson pledge to continue the tradition in years to come.

Keeper Noah Schwaeber comes on for the 1^st time (after a broken finger) against always-tough Choate. The prepsters win 2-1. The Wreckers lose Grant Sirlin (broken nose).

Pre-season ends with the annual Wethersfield jamboree. Staples goes (as usual) 1-1-1.

Regular season

The injury-plagued pre-season is over. All projected starting players take the field in the home opener against St. Joseph. In the 19^th minute, Nate Argosh megs his defender. He finds Michael Reid, whose quick turn finds fellow captain Patrick Beusse with a seeing-eye through ball. Beusse finishes calmly. Six minutes after halftime, Gabe Pensak powers a shot off the inside of the near post. Reid alertly first-times the rebound in, for a 2-0 win.

Wilton returns to Loeffler Field, 10 months after knocking Staples out of the FCIAC tournament. The Warriors continue to have the Wreckers’ number, snagging a 1-0 victory on Mike Lynch’s 48^th-minute goal.

In Danbury, Staples finds a fast, talented team reminiscent of the Hatters’ 1980s-‘90s glory years. They’re 2-0, and are talked of as potential FCIAC champs. The Wreckers are missing tri-captain
Andrew Puchala – he’s been on-again, off-again so far with a foot injury – but control much of the 1^st half defensively. An uncleared corner kick in the 31^st minute gives the upstaters the lead. But in the final seconds of the half, strong pressure by Reid leads to a throw-in deep in Danbury’s end. Pensak’s long throw is headed out for a corner kick, on the far side. Daniel Perez Elorza falls down, gets up, then laces a ball into the both. Sophomore center back Josh Berman races forward and – like Mikey Fitzgerald and Puchala – heads home from close range. Just 5 seconds show on the clock.

Staples picks up the pace, and have chances on shots by  Berman and Beusse. Defensively, Schwaeber makes 2 fine stops. The match ends with a Danbury corner kick. They flood everyone forward. This time the Westporters clear – and earn a tough, but well-deserved 1-1 draw.

Bassick meets Staples for the 1^st time since 2010. Coach Sal Hanaif has built the Lions into a very respectable side. Jamaican transfer Tavoy Morgan nets his 5^th goal in 3 games in the 15^th minute. But the blue-and-whites come right back. Berman toe-pokes in Pensak’s blocked shot. Three minutes later, Puchala pounces on – and finishes – Reid’s skittering free kick. Three minutes after that, Beusse takes Argosh’s slot for a 3-1 lead. And 3 minutes after that, Argosh’s poised finish off a long breakaway from Daniel Brill makes it 4-1. The Lions got one back in the 2^nd half, but Staples maintained control.

Ridgefield roars out to a blitzkrieg 3 goals at Tiger Hollow. The stunning lead seems insurmountable. But 8 minutes before halftime Puchala races forward on a Graham Gudis corner kick. Sebastian Wick flicks on, and now it’s 3-1. Keeper coach Tom Henske rips the team a new one at halftime. Woog says that if Ridgefield can score 3 goals, Staples can too. He does not say that no team has ever come back from a 3-goal deficit in the Wreckers’ 56-year-history.

The coaches push an extra man forward, sacrificing 1 in back. Just 1:46 after intermission, Puchala nails his 2^nd header – off another Gudis corner. Puchala, Berman, Pensak, Kenji Goto and Jack Zeldes anchor the defense. Seven minutes later, Staples strikes again. Pensak’s long throw bounces around; finally Argosh pokes it into the corner. The Wreckers are level – and 29 minutes remain.

Twelve minutes after that, Gudis launches a free kick. Brill bangs a shot off the post – and Puchala smashes it in. The final 16 minutes are insane. Staples goes for the kill. The stunned Tigers throw everything forward. Zeldes is lost with a concussion, on a jarring collision. The Wreckers manage the game well, and celebrate a historic 4-3, abyss-climbing victory, with a wild bus ride home.

24 hours later, they’re back in action – at undefeated Norwalk. The classic contest between the 2 rivals marks the debut of Bear keeper Tyler Dalton. Thought to be lost for the year with a back injury, he’s cleared to play this very afternoon. He’s very solid, and his quick punts spark the Norwalk offense. The Bears’ 5-man defense keep Staples at bay. But the Wreckers’ short-passing game is on, and when Reid aggravates an injury suffered at Ridgefield, his sophomore brother Daniel fills in admirably.

The match is destined to end 0-0 – a fair result. Suddenly, with 11 minutes to go, the referee rules that Schwaeber has caught a high back pass from Berman. It’s dubious – the ball was scuffed, not really passed – but the Bears get an indirect kick in the area, dead center. Despite a 10-man wall, leading scorer Jose Canahui knocks it into the far corner.

Staples does not give up. But the sudden, unlikely 1-0 defeat jolts them. They meet somberly behind the bench, and no one speaks on the bus ride home.

The Wreckers hope to get back on track against New Canaan. But just 5 minutes in, after a promising start – 2 quick Aidan Wisher corners – the Rams get a break. An easy ball played over the top is dropped into the net. Argosh equalizes in the 50^th minute, off Gudis’ free kick. In the 2^nd half Ziggy Hallgarten makes 3 key saves, including one on a twisting shot with 6 minutes left, for a very unsatisfying 1-1 draw.

Sirlin starts against Central, wearing a sick-looking mask. Daniel Reid’s 1^st varsity goal is a chip of the keeper, caroming gently off the crossbar. Gudis nets a penalty kick, and Staples wins 2-0.

A scheduling nightmare — 6 games in 13 days – begins inauspiciously. Westhill wins 2-0, after a Staples PK is saved.

Fairfield is 8-0-3, by far the best start in the school’s history. The Wreckers unveil a new defensive alignment – Goto, Berman, Zeldes and Sirlin – and for long stretches of the 1^st half they shut down the Falcons. A wild 2 minutes before halftime are highlighted by Hallgarten’s fingertip save.

In the 47^th minute Perez Elorza pounces on a loose ball in the box. But 3 minutes later the hosts draw even, on Matthew Doyle’s header. They snag the lead 7 minutes after that, on the only breakaway the visitors allow. Michael Reid’s rocket is saved 6 minutes from time. Though Staples has once again played a top team dead even, once again they have nothing to show.

Trinity Catholic comes to Wakeman turf (Woog gives Loeffler Field to the girls, for an important match with Wilton). The best Crusader side in years – and one of the youngest – keeps Staples scoreless, until 1 minute before halftime, when Berman heads in Spencer Daniels’ corner kick. Jerrett Rende’s 1^st-ever varsity goal makes it 2-0. Trinity literally parks the bus – on the asphalt behind the stands.

That brings 9-2-1 Greenwich, Staples’ nemesis in recent years, to Westport. Inspired – and angry at the way their season is unfolding – the Wreckers start ferociously. Michael Reid, Beusse, Pensak and Argosh have fired up their team. In the 26^th minute, Argosh touches in Perez Elorza’s corner. Three minutes later, Beusse’s great shot is tipped over for a fine save.

Puchala comes on with 20 minutes to go, after missing nearly all the regular season. In the 73^rd minute he wins a strong tackle, and hits Brill. The junior feeds a textbook slot to Perez Elorza, who beats the keeper for the insurance goal. The win is highly emotional.

Brien McMahon looms 24 hours later – rescheduled from when no referees showed earlier. This time, a power outage postpones the match.

On Saturday afternoon in Trumbull, Staples meets another team that’s had their number. Though Argosh nets the 1-1 equalizer, 3 2^nd-half goals sink the Wreckers. It’s a bad loss – and their FCIAC playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy.

Fairfield Warde looms large, at the start of a 3-games-in-3-days slate. The Mustangs kick off, backward. Staples pounces. Perez Elorza takes the corner. Beusse heads on. Pensak – up from the back – turns it across the goalmouth, and in. The guests keep attacking. In the 2^nd half Argosh rockets home a corner; Denzel Robinson nets his 1^st-ever varsity goal, and then Brill launches a lefty golazo into the upper corner, from 30 yards out. It is as satisfying a victory as Trumbull had been a grim one. Unfortunately, Puchala limps off the field.

The 1^st half of the twice-rescheduled McMahon game is lackluster. Perez Elorza’s 8^th-minute, Luis Suarez-style lofted goal is the only score. The Senators come on strongly after intermission, though. Schwaeber and his defense hangs tough. Sirlin clears one shot off the line. For the 7^th straight years, the Wreckers are headed to FCIACs.

First comes the season-ender against Harding, though. It’s the 3^rd match in less than 48 hours. After a ceremonial 2 minutes, the seniors depart in a driving rain. Matt Bateman and Rende look strong defensively. But the Presidents strike first, against the run of play. A passel of junior varsity players come on in the 2^nd half, as Woog sticks to his plan to rest most starters for the FCIAC tournament just 2 days away. Finally, in the 57^th minute, Brill hits Daniel Reid. The sophomore craftily beats the keeper.

Less than 10 minutes later, Gudis arcs his 4^th straight corner into the box. Berman heads home. Gudis then converts a PK, and adds another goal 13 minutes from time. Five wins in their final 6 matches – including 3 in 3 very exhausting days – have put Staples, finally, in good shape.

FCIAC Tournament

Danbury (11-2-3) is #2 in the FCIAC tournament. With 2 days’ rest – a seeming eternity — #7 Staples heads north. The 1^st half is a midfield battle – and a chess match. Michael Reid playmakes. Zeldes marks dangerous Grimaldo De Sousa. Beusse roams the right flank; Robinson speeds down the left. Goto organizes the backs. Schwaeber scoops up whatever is needed

The 2^nd half heats up – and opens up. Perez Elorza and Zeldes are injured, joining Puchala on the sidelines. Gudis comes on for his service ability. Almost immediately, he takes a free kick near the corner kick spot, on the left. Pensak, on the far side, redirects it across. Argosh pounces. Just 9:36 remains.

Forty-nine seconds later, Beusse serves a long ball. Gudis collects it, outraces his defender, and finishes calmly. Danbury fights valiantly for the remaining 8:34. With just over 3 minutes to go, keeper Ian Shannon outjumps everyone to head in a corner kick off the underside of the crossbar. Staples manages the clock skillfully, and earns a well-deserved upset win.

Three days later at Fairfield Ludlowe, in the semifinals, #3 Greenwich is bent on revenge. The high-intensity match takes just 3 minutes to produce a goal. Pensak’s long throw bounces around the box, and is knocked in for an own goal.

3 minutes later, the Cards draw level. But the Wreckers retaliate, midway through the half. Argosh flicks Pensak’s throw to the far post, where Berman heads home. Seven minutes after that, a corner – not, as Staples thinks, a goal kick – leads to a score by Nick Bartels. Schwaeber’s fine save 3 minutes before halftime keeps the scoreline even.

The 2^nd half is even harder played. Greenwich bangs forward, and runs on. Bartels notches the go-ahead tally with 24 minutes to go. Staples puts a 3^rd attacker on, but the Cards counter well. Schwaeber saves twice more, including a spectacular low shot. The match ends 3-2. An FCIAC final for Staples is not in the cards.

State “LL” tournament

The scouting reports on East Hartford are all the same: The Hornets are tough. With twin threats Rose Khalid and Harris Donovan, plus dominant center back Frantz Innocent Jr., the #14 upstaters are a formidable 1^st-round foe for #19 Staples.

But for a week, the coaches have hammered home a game plan. After a rare 7-day layoff, the Wreckers go to work. Schwaeber’s great 8^th-minute breakaway save on Emmanuel Agyemang sends a message. Michael Reid sets the tone at midfield, shutting down the 2 attackers, possessing elegantly and spraying pinpoint passes to both corners. Berman and Goto anchor the defense; Pensak and Zeldes take care of the outsides.

In the 15^th minute, Pensak unleashes a long throw. Staples knows the Hornets seldom guard the far post. Berman is there, power-heading in for an early lead.

Beusse plays his best game ever in a Wrecker uniform. The hard-running, wide ranging leader wins a hard 34^th-minute tackle, powers forward and laces a ball forward. Perez Elorza redirects it to Argosh, who tucks it home.

Staples subs liberally in the final 20 minutes. Two East Hartford shots hit posts. But Brill, Gudis, Daniels, Sirlin and Teddy Lawrence hang tough, for the win.

Two days later, the blue-and-whites head to West Haven’s Ken Strong Stadium. It’s been good to them in past tourney matches – but the Blue Devils are #3 in the LL tournament, with a sparkling 13-2-1 regular season mark. Staples was the only lower-ranked team to win in the 1^st round.

The Westies boast team speed, individual speed, and tons of talent. Go-to guys include seniors Selim Turkmen and Sebastian Parra, junior Blaise Haba, and Salah Oumorou who – though only a sophomore – looks like a man among boys.

Staples again has a superb scouting report. But the Blue Devils charge out of the box. The 1^st 5 minutes are overwhelming. The tide turns 2 minutes later, when a Westie defender tips a long Pensak throw over the goal with his hand. But there is no call – in fact, the hosts get a goal kick. It’s a harbinger of things to come.

In the 14^th minute Argosh fires a cross into the box. Daniel Reid touches it back, where Beusse lies in wait. His shot slams into the back of the net.

Paced by Robinson’s hard running on the left side, the Wreckers come on. But in the final 15 minutes, the tide turns. Ulises Hernandez pounces on a rebound, after a strong Schwaeber save. The game is tied.

Schwaeber comes up big twice more, including a near-certain score. He forces that attacker to shoot wide.

The 2^nd half starts with a stunning West Haven goal. Just 28 seconds in – following another non-call in Staples’ end – Oumorou finishes a coast-to-coast play.

Berman shoots wide on a corner kick. Two more corners go for naught. With time ticking down, Schwaeber saves again. Once again, the Devils nail the rebound. With just 16:45 to go, Staples is down 3-1.

Someone on the bench yells “Remember Ridgefield” – reminding his teammates of that classic game, when a 3-0 deficit turned into a 4-3 victory.

It takes less than 2 minutes to get a goal back. Argosh’s corner soars past the box. Pensak pounces from 22 yards out.

Less than 5 minutes later, Staples strikes again. Pensak’s long throw finds Argosh, hanging out near post. He leaps high, beating the defenders and keepers. Astonishingly, the Westporters have drawn level.

West Haven charges forward. In the 76^th minute, Schwaeber saves again. Two minutes after, a controversial call gives West Haven a direct kick, dead center at the top of the box. Staples’ 5-man wall holds, and clears decisively.

Back come the Wreckers.  They win tackles and head balls. Playing with intelligence, poise and intensity, they drive into corners.

Once again, they earn a throw. Once again, Pensak unleashes it. Once again, Staples executes a set play well. This time it’s Berman with the header – and the 3^rd goal in 14 minutes.

West Haven – stunned – has 1:26 in which to come back. They don’t. Staples stiffens, manages the match – and celebrates one of the most amazing comeback wins in their 56-year history. Woog says: “I’m supposed to say something intelligent. But I can’t. There are no words.”

Less than 48 hours after that fantastic win, Staples heads to Darien. They have not met this fall – with 19 FCIAC schools and only 16 games, each team “misses” 2. The Blue Wave has built their squad over 3 years. Students pour onto the sidelines even before the final bell, filling the tiny bleachers and the small knoll.

Darien misses their leading scorer (torn ACL). The Wreckers miss Zeldes (hamstring). A strong wind whips across the field. The Wavers win the toss, and choose to attack with the wind at their backs.

Their bang-it-forward style works well. All Staples wants is to escape with a tie at halftime. Thanks to 2 excellent saves by Schwaeber, they do.

But the wind plays no role 2 minutes after intermission. A long ball by Henrik Stockinger, a failed clearance and poor defensive communication get the Wavers on the scoreboard.

The guests have chances to equalize. But time ticks down. A great long shot by Hunter Kooyman 12 minutes from time ices the game.

This time, there are no last-minute heroics. Only the heartbreak of a season that – after a storybook run of 8 wins in the previous 10 matches – ends brutally short.

But what a run it was.

Quick kicks

There are 9 sophomores – a record – on varsity. With 10 juniors, and only 7 seniors, this is one of the youngest Staples teams in years….

Post-season honors include: Block “S” MVP (Michael Reid); Block “S” Coaches Award (Patrick Beusse); Alumni Award (Gabe Pensak); Dan Woog Dedication Award (Denzel Robinson); Jeff Lea Award (Staples athletic director Marty Lisevick); Stephen Martin Award (Ryan Fincher). Andrew Puchala passed #15 on to Noah Schwaeber. Beusse and Reid earned All-FCIAC kudos; Pensak, Puchala and Kenji Goto were named to the All-West team. Reid was selected for the Senior Bowl….

For the 12th time in 14 years, Staples earns National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic All-America honors, for a team GPA average of at least 3.25 (for the 2013 team)….

Other varsity players not mentioned previously include Matt Bateman, Luca Cocito, Shane Dasbach, Sam Kantor, Andres Marmelo and Brenden Price….

Coach Seth Sholes’ junior varsity goes 3-4-6. Chris O’Dell’s freshmen are 8-2-0….

Both Bassick and Harding leave the FCIAC next year, after 20 seasons. Central is the long Bridgeport school to remain. That leaves 17 FCIAC schools – meaning there will be no more “unbalanced” league schedule. Every team will face every other one, for the 1^st time in 2 decades.

SEASON RECORD: 12-7-2
COACH: Dan Woog
TRI-CAPTAINS: Patrick Beusse, Michael Reid, Andrew Puchala

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2015: A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE

Pre-season

n  Hoping to kick-start a competitive mindset, the coaching staff makes changes for 2015. The junior varsity will now be the “reserves.” A “varsity pool” — perhaps 28 or 30 strong — will be used to pick a game squad of 20 or so.

n  For the 1^st time ever, Staples meets Fairfield Prep away. On beautiful Rafferty Field, junior Matteo Broccolo’s ball is flicked along by senior Daniel Brill. Junior Sam Kantor races on, finishing the only goal of the day.

n  South Kent cancels the afternoon of game time. Next up: Choate. Senior Andres Marmelo finds unmarked sophomore Timmy Liles, for another 1-0 scoreline.

n  In the annual Wethersfield jamboree, Brill pounces on senior Daniel Perez Elorza’s corner kick, to top the hosts. The non-starters draw 0-0 twice, with Fermi-Enfield and Kingswood Oxford.

n  The by-now-traditional Martin Luther King Day match, which again excites a large crowd on another hot Labor Day, ends 2-1. Goals come from sophomore Matt Engler and Daniel Reid, with a fine 2^nd effort off his own direct kick. The traditional beach picnic follows.

Regular season

n  After an undefeated preseason, the Wreckers’ woeful record against Trumbull tumbles to an even worse 1-6-7. Staples looks dismal at McDougall Field, allowing a soft 60^th-minute score (and poor positioning and execution) to doom them.

n  Tiger Hollow, by contrast, is a great site for Staples. Jack Zeldes goes down for the 2^nd year in a row at Ridgefield — and is out for 3 weeks after a fierce collision — but junior Josh Berman leaps high to power in senior Graham Gudis’ 11^th-minute corner kick. Daniels, Reid, Brill and Perez Elorza combine on goal #2. Kantor feeds Perez Elorza for a 3-0 edge. The Tigers break junior keeper Ziggy Hallgarten’s shutout a minute later, but defenders Berman, Broccolo, junior Teddy Lawrence and senior co-captain Kenji Goto secure the victory.

n  Kennedy Stadium has — tada! — a new surface, replacing its old Astrodome turf. Central’s Hilltoppers are fast and skillful, and the Wreckers revert to their Trumbull ball-in-the-air style. Yet in the 67^th minute Gudis’ corner kick is headed forward by Berman. Senior Aidan Wisher pounces, and blasts the game-winner with authority.

n  Staples finally has its home opener. Late September brings archrival Greenwich — with 6-3 preseason All-American pick Nick Bartels — to town. Senior co-captain Noah Schwaeber makes his 1^st start in goal, after recovering from a mid-summer broken thumb. The Cards own the 1^st half. The 2^nd 40 minutes is even. Greenwich’s Alejandro MacLean buries a rebound. Both sides kick it up a notch. As the clock on the new scoreboard ticks down, Goto plays a quick free kick to sophomore Chris Martenson. He finds Wisher on the right, who launches a perfect cross to Berman. The defender has moved up in the waning minutes — and his picture-book play with 2:14 left earns Staples a 1-1 draw. The Wreckers usually hate to tie. This is a draw they’ll take.

n  The blue-and-whites know they need a strong performance against St. Joseph. They don’t get one. A freshman nets the Cadets’ 1^st goal after 4 straight shutouts — and it comes just 2:26 in. Keeper Joseph Lucy has a strong 1^st half. With only 7:39 minutes to go in the match, Gudis’ calm free kick over the wall draw his side level. Next, Perez Elorza’s corner bounces off several bodies, before caroming in. Going for the kill, Gudis scores on a back-to-the-goal, across-the-body long-range strike that bounces off 2 posts. The 3-goals-in-4:18 span brings victory — but the Westporters are living on the edge.

n  Junior Spencer Daniels scores 5 minutes in at Westhill’s football stadium. Five minutes later, it’s Daniels again. Brill nails a PK; then Daniels gets the hat trick, for one of Staples’ easiest victories at the Vikes’ field in years.

n  Berman’s header and Liles’ shot give Staples a 2-0 lead at Brien McMahon, but it’s quickly halved. The guests nearly get 2 more, before Reid’s free kick from midfield slips through the keeper’s fingers. Broccolo, Lawrence, Marmelo, Martenson and senior Grant Sirlin manage the game to the end.

n  The Fairfield Ludlowe match — a big one, following 3 straight losses after an initial 38-0-0 mark against the Falcons and their previous Roger Ludlowe incarnation — is moved to the Wakeman turf, following a day-long. Few fans brave the weather as Staples takes on the defending, senior-laden FCIAC champs, but those who do are treated to a superb, intense performance. Goto, Berman, Lawrence and Broccolo step up well, catching the guests offside several times. Schwaeber handles the wet ball cleanly.

n  Two minutes before halftime, Lawrence finds the back of the net with his head, off Gudis’ 30-yard free kick. It’s the junior’s 1^st varsity goal. The Wreckers tighten up even more defensively in the 2^nd half, limiting the Falcons to a few long shots. Berman clears Ludlowe’s best chance off the line in the 50^th minute. Twenty minutes later Perez Elorza springs Daniels, who converts an easy tap-in. Four minutes from time, Perez Elorza blocks a clearance. Sophomore Tyler Wright is there to notch his 1^st varsity goal.

n  Staples’ biggest win of the year should ignite them. Instead, it’s the highlight of their year. Daniels pounces on a poor outlet by Norwalk’s keeper, then follows up to knock in a 12^th-minute goal. But his side can’t add another, and the Bears equalize midway through the 2^nd half.

n  Darien is a talented team on a mission: They believe that for 2 years, they’ve gotten little respect. Zeldes returns following a long absence (eye injury), and makes his presence known. In the 30^th minute Zeldes tallies off a fine slot from Perez Elorza. Play gets chippy after intermission. Waver Sean Gallagher equalizes, but with 9 minutes to play Gudis converts a penalty kick. The Wreckers do not manage the game well, and with just 5 seconds — 5 seconds! — left, Darien manages to tie on a loose ball off a throw-in. It’s the 1^st match all year in which Staples allows more than 1 goal — and one of the most devastating regular season losses in history. Even if it is really a tie.

n  New Canaan is no better. Marmelo performs well in his defensive start, and Sirlin looks steady at midfield. But a lackluster 0-0 draw leaves the blue-and-whites 6-1-4.

n  For the 3^rd year in a row, Wilton comes to Loeffler Field with a lot on the line for both squads. The 7-3-2 Warriors are 1 point ahead of their hosts. Staples dominates much of the 1^st half, earning numerous corner kicks, though Patrick Prinner cuts off many threats. In the 37^th minute Daniels finishes a scrappy goal, following pressure by Broccolo and Perez Elorza. But Jack Brandt levels the score just after halftime, off a defensive mis-clear. Wisher is saved with 9 minutes left. Three minutes later, Brandt’s corner kick catches the shifting wind. The ball arcs over the keeper, nestling into the far net. It’s a gorgeous goal — and 3 points for the Warriors that Staples will never regain.

n  Senior Night at Fairfield Warde is scoreless until the 57^th minute. Berman heads Gudis’ corner forward. Brill heads on; Perez Elorza pounces. The visitors move in for the kill. But 9 minutes later the Mustangs tally, off an un-cleared long throw. The game roars back and forth. Both sides miss chances. Suddenly, with 2 minutes remaining — after yet another missed Wrecker opportunity — Warde seizes a numbers-up situation. As happens frequently this fall, Staples’ opponents make the most of their chance. It’s a harsh defeat — and one that could doom the Westporters’ FCIAC playoff hopes.

n  Trinity Catholic will be the Wreckers’ 3^rd game in 5 days. Another 2 loom in the next 5 — followed (hopefully) by the FCIAC tournament 2 days after that. The coaching staff rests 2 starters, and gives the others only 15 minutes. But Wisher starts the scoring 49 seconds in, then assists on Gudis’ header 3 minutes later. Engler takes over midfield; Broccolo nets his 1^st varsity goal off a Shane Dasbach corner kick. Dasbach feeds Liles, who hits Kantor for his 1^st varsity strike a minute before halftime. Staples pours in 4 more 2^nd-half goals: Stephen Rowland (from Rory Steele); Kantor (from Liles); Steele (his 1^st varsity goal, from Rowland), and Marmelo (yes, his 1^st varsity goal) 11 seconds from time, thanks to Griff O’Neill. The match also marks the varsity debut of freshman midfielder Vaughan Piccirillo-Sealey.

n  Staples’ 4-0 thrashing of Stamford – a team they have not faced since 2010 — is keyed by goals from Berman (from Broccolo, Perez Elorza and Daniels); Perez Elorza (from Daniels); Daniels (from Perez Elorza and Wisher), and Marmelo (from Kantor). The match marks senior keeper Brenden Price’s 1^st varsity start — but is notable mostly for a halftime medical emergency. A teenage Wrecker fan suffers coronary arrest while kicking in the goalmouth. Quick action by Staples trainers, parent Kerry Liles — and an AED from the car of parents Mark and MaryGrace Gudis — save the young man’s life.

n  The win clinches an FCIAC playoff spot. But the Wreckers fall 3-1 to Danbury in the regular season finale, mustering only a Gudis goal against a team that could contend for the league title.

FCIAC tournament

n  Staples’ late-season swoon earns them a #7 FCIAC seed, sending them to Darien for the 2^nd post-season year in a row. Last year, the Blue Wave ended the Wreckers’ state tournament hopes. This year, they apply the coup de grace in the league tourney. A defensive miscue 8 minutes before halftime gives Jack Kniffin an easy goal. Another poor clearance into the middle allows Kniffin an equally simple 2^nd score. The Westporters wonder: Can they regroup for the state “LL” championship?

State tournament

n  Chris O’Dell handles fitness and mentality training, and Tom Henske steps into a tactical role, as the Wreckers spend one of the most intense 8 days in their history. They concentrate on tighter defensive clearances, better pressure at midfield and up top, and a never-give-up attitude. They’re #20 in the CIAC “LL” (extra large school) seedings, about to face #13 (11-4-1) Hall-West Hartford.

n  All-day rain makes the Warriors’ grass field slick for the 4 p.m. kickoff. Staples roars out of the gate faster than they have all fall. It takes nearly 10 minutes — literally — for the hosts to cross midfield.

n  Wisher — moved into the attack — leads the offensive charge. Reid and Daniels patrol the flanks. Perez Elorza, Brill and Gudis stuff midfield. Behind them, Goto, Berman, Zeldes and Lawrence play high. Price rarely sees the ball.

n  Staples outshoots Hall 7-0 in the 1^st half. Reid and Perez Elorza set up golden opportunities, but the ball skitters across the goalmouth just millimeters from a finishing foot. The best chance — by Daniels — bangs off the crossbar. Warrior coach Zeke Seguro tells the Norwalk Hour later that his team was lucky to escape halftime scoreless.

n  Hall comes on a bit in the 2^nd half, but Staples still has chances. The Wreckers do a fine job of keeping the ball on the ground, despite the rain and wind. The Warriors steal a goal, against the run of play, off a nifty corner kick that’s dummied twice before John Punt blasts from 25 yards out.

n  Staples pushes forward. It’s not easy — Hall does not retreat defensively — and a blast by Gudis is saved spectacularly by keeper Jeremy Rausch. The end seems near.

n  Suddenly — with a mere 2:38 to play — Gudis feeds Perez Elorza. He turns, then rockets a shot into the far right corner, past the diving goaltender. It’s the type of goal the Wreckers had in September, then lacked in October.

n  The 1^st 10-minute overtime resembles the 1^st half, in Staples’ domination. The 2^nd is more equal. Neither yields a score. It’s on to penalty kicks.

n  Four Wreckers — Wisher, Perez Elorza, Gudis and Berman — make theirs. But the middle kicker is saved, by Hall’s 2^nd keeper. When the final Warrior hits true, Staples’ season is over. With stunning brutality.

Quick quicks

n  The PK shootout loss is the 1^st in 7 state tournament games for coach Dan Woog’s squads….

n  Other varsity pool members not mentioned include Will Birch, Kenny Brill, Danny Jersey and Anton Mahr….

n  Coach Nicky Hoberman’s reserves finish 10-3-1. Chris O’Dell and Julien Delepine’s freshmen are 11-1-0….

n  Goto wins the Block “S” Most Valuable Player Award, and Price earns Most Improved. Other honors go to Marmelo and Zeldes (Alumni Award), Daniel Brill (Dan Woog Dedication Award), Kurt Dasbach, Tom Henske and Chris O’Dell (Jeff Lea Award) and freshman Gabe Baltierra (Stephen Marin Award). Schwaeber passes #15 on to Josh Berman. Perez Elorza and Gudis are chosen All-FCIAC; Daniels, Gudis, Reid and Zeldes make the All-Western Division team, and Perez Elorza plays in the Senior Bowl.

RECORD: 8-6-4
CO-CAPTAINS: Kenji Goto, Noah Schwaeber
COACH: Dan Woog

2016: FIT TO BE TIED

Pre-season

More changes are in store this year. A year-long, top-to-bottom review by the coaching staff brings new roles. Tom Henske takes on new duties, beyond goalkeeper coach. Chris O’Dell joins the varsity staff, in charge of “team culture.” 2007 captain Russell Oost-Lievense replaces O’Dell as freshman coach.

And pre-season begins with a 7:30 a.m. running test. The challenge: 2 miles in at least 12:30. Sophomore Gabe Baltierra turns it on in the home stretch, finishing 1^st in 11;38. The Wreckers then head to Wakeman, for an intense 90 minutes. They have prepared well for the long year ahead.

A 2-2 draw with Fairfield Prep, a closer-than-it-seems 3-0 loss to New England powerhouse South Kent,  a 1-1-1 record at the Wethersfield jamboree and a 1-1 draw with New York City standout Martin Luther King prepared the Wreckers well.

Regular Season

For only the 2^nd time in history, Staples has 4 captains: keeper Ziggy Hallgarten, defender Josh Berman, midfielder Daniel Reid and forward Spencer Daniels. There are 26 varsity players – including a near-record 16 seniors – but 13 strong soccer players roam the halls without Wrecker logowear. They’re US Soccer Development Academy players, opting to play with club teams and forgo the high school experience.

Staples does get one academy player – senior Thomas Nealon, playing for his school for the first time. They also welcome Jannis Dietze, a sophomore German exchange student.

Opening day brings Trinity Catholic to Loeffler Field. (The Crusaders’ new turf field is not yet ready.) Will Birch snipes the 1^st goal, in the 9^th minute. Nealon, Daniels, Anton Mahr, Rory Steele and Timmy Liles dispatch the visitors.

Much-tougher Danbury is next. New coach Antony Howard has the Hatters playing excellent soccer. Daniels delivers a clinical strike, and Staples continues to play well into the 2^nd half. But the guests equalize in the 65^th minutes on a rebound after Hallgarten saves an electrifying bicycle kick. The guests go ahead on one of the few times the Wreckers allow an attacker inside. With 10 seconds left, a Staples free kick from the far right is bobbled. The keeper’s 2^nd save also saves Danbury’s come-from-behind win.

Trumbull comes to Westport for Staples’ 3^rd straight home match. The score is 0-0 when, 2:37 into the 2^nd half, lightning forces both squads into the cafeteria. After a downpour – with radar showing more rain coming through – the referees call the match an official draw.

No current Wreckers have ever played at Stamford High – it’s been 6 years since Staples traveled there. This time they start off unsteadily. Seven minutes after intermission the Black Knights tally against the run of play, on a breakaway. The blue-and-whites come back strongly, but the one goal dooms them. Their record is a surprising – and disappointing — 1-2-1.

Defenders Berman, Teddy Lawrence, Sam Kantor, Chris Martenson and Matteo Broccolo are air-tight at Ridgefield. Hallgarten sees little action. Dietze starts his 1^st match at midfield, meshing well with Nealon, Reid, Liles and Matt Engler. Birch, Daniels, Tyler Wright, Stephen Rowland and Luca Cocito create 14 shots. But they’re all high, wide or weak. Seven corner kicks don’t help. The result: a very unsatisfying 0-0 draw.

Wright and Lawrence stake Staples to a 2-0 lead against Central. A lazy play cuts the margin in half. But the 2^nd half is all Wreckers. Wright (2 more goals), Dietze, Shane Dasbach (penalty kick) and Rowland all score in the 7-1 victory.

Greenwich is 7-0-0 when they host Staples. The match is even. Hallgarten saves brilliantly twice – once per half. Counterpart James Johnson makes his own fingertip save on a Broccolo blast. At the other end of the field, Lawrence clears a near-certain goal off the line. The final 15 minutes are the Wreckers’ best of the year. The 0-0 final – with Staples’ snagging the 1^st point of any team all year from the Cardinals – is a fair result.

St. Joseph is notable for Baltierra’s first start of the season, and Engler’s broken wrist. The sophomore midfielder will be lost for a crucial month. Lawrence’s power header and Mahr’s clinical finish key the 2-0 win.

A large Saturday crowd – including the Barbecue Club – sees the home side shut out Westhill 2-0. Mahr buries a 1-touch cross from Reid; then Dietze and Nealon feed Daniels. Hallgarten hardly sees a shot.

Brien McMahon’s new coach, Rodrigo Guzman, is a proud former Senator player. Staples is too strong though, winning 5-0 on a header by Lawrence, and 2 strikes from Nealon and Daniels. Hallgarten shared his 4^th straight shutout with help from Thomas Heisler.

Heading into the FCIAC homestretch, the Wreckers seem to be heeding O’Dell’s command to find their identity. With 11 minutes to play at Fairfield Ludlowe, Mahr goes to work in the far right corner. He feeds Dietze on the near post. The sophomore’s shot is saved, but Wright pings in the rebound. As the Falcons add a 3^rd attacker, Staples press forward too. Their fitness pays off, 1:03 from time. Mahr serves a beautiful ball through, Daniels runs on to finish smartly, and the Westporters win 2-0.

Norwalk’s 4-5-1 mark is deceiving. The Bears own the 1^st 20 minutes, and lead 1-0. Staples grinds it out in the 2^nd half. With less than 6 minutes remaining, Birch’s free kick from the right finds Lawrence. The hard-charging defenders heads with authority over the keeper. Both sides have chances as the clock winds down; both settle for 1 point in the tight FCIAC standings.

Staples starts slowly again, at Darien. The 0-0 result is their 5^th draw of the season. 6-2-5, they have still not clinched a league playoff berth.

They need to nail New Canaan. The Rams must win too – to make the state tournament. Kantor was out with a sprained elbow, so Broccolo slid back. Rowland got the call up top. Pressure also came from Wright, Daniels and – in his 1^st-ever varsity appearance – sophomore Azam Plummer. Hallgarten’s sprawling 10^th-minute save made a big difference. Six minutes later, Berman stuffed one home. New Canaan quickly equalized, on a bouncing ball off a poor clearance. Lawrence skimmed a 31^st-minute header home. The 2^nd half saw Cocito and Rory Steele press hard, as Staples sought an insurance goal. In the end, 2-1 was enough to win.

With an FCIAC playoff spot secure, the Wreckers try for a quarterfinal home game. Wilton has come on strongly in the late season. In the 53^rd minute Rowland back-heads Nealons’ 35-yard free kick. Staples pushes for a 2^nd goal. But suddenly, with 14:20 left, the Warriors get a free kick against the run of play. Griffin Klinga heads in, from the back post. Lawrence has 2 late opportunities. But for the 6^th time this season, the Wreckers tie.

Senior Day, against Fairfield Warde, draws a large crowd. Kantor is back. So is Engler, after 7 matches out with a broken wrist. Despite a substantial wind at their back, Staples can’t score in the 1^st half. The Mustangs don’t show much in the 2^nd half, either. But a penalty kick midway through – the first called against the Wreckers all year – gives the visitors a 1-0 lead. The final 24 minutes are wide open. Staples tries desperately for the equalizer. But Warde tacks on another, in an empty net with 8 seconds on the clock.

It’s a bitter end to the regular season. The 7-3-6 regular season mark is as odd as the fall has been. And – with Staples ending up 8^th in the standings — #1 Greenwich awaits in the FCIAC tournament. Oh, yeah: They’re #16 in the country too.

FCIAC tournament

The Wreckers and Cardinals tied 0-0 earlier this year. This time, there must be a winner.

The match in Greenwich’s football stadium – postponed a day by freezing rain — is a classic.

Reid forces a corner kick 10 seconds after play begins. Hallgarten makes 3 superb stops in the opening 7 minutes. Daniels just misses – twice. Hallgarten saves again, outside the box. Berman clears the follow-up shot off the goal line.

The action is end to end. But the Cards lead 1-0 at halftime, off Shoki Araki’s shot from the right.

At intermission the Wreckers vow to amp up their pressure even more. It works. With Daniels, Mahr, Rowland and Plummer pushing forward, the blue-and-whites own the 2^nd half.

In the 48^th minute Nealon feeds Daniels. Somehow, keeper James Johnson stuffs him.

The Wreckers continue to press, and fire. Suddenly, Lawrence shoots from the 18. The ball caroms back to Nealon. Calmly, he fires. Goal!

The bench storms the field. It’s the wildest celebration of the year – and the most deserved.

A minute later, Hallgarten is forced outside of his box. He saves a breakaway, near the sideline. But his hard slide earns a yellow card.

Sophomore Ry Cohen comes on. As Hallgarten waits to return, Staples is whistled for what some believe to be phantom foul – inside the box. Kai Lammers’ penalty kick – the 2^nd in 2 games against the Wreckers – is true.

Just 6:55 remains. Staples responds with fierce intensity. Martenson wins a stunning tackle deep in his own territory. He dribbles twice, then launches a long ball to the right corner.

It seems destined to carry over the end line. Somehow, Nealon tracks it down. Someone, he keeps it in bounds. Somehow, he turns it into a corner kick.

The Wreckers race forward. The service is great. Lawrence heads it into the upper right corner.

But somehow, the tying goal skims off the top of the crossbar.

One minute is left. Staples keeps pressing. Greenwich holds on.

It’s a devastating loss. The Westporters have given the top-ranked team everything they had. They leave it all on the field.

And leave for home with a very long 10 days before the state tournament starts.

State tournament

Ranked #21, the Wreckers travel 80 minutes to #5 South Windsor. Despite a layoff of 12 days – interrupted only by an excellent scrimmage at Joel Barlow – Staples’ passing and pressing game is on. Engler and Dietze partner well at midfield.

Staples ramps it up after the break. Nealon – recently moved up top — charges in on Kantor’s long free kick. Lawrence roars forward with a header. Nealon’s shot, and Reid’s rebound, are saved.

In the 50^th minute, Nealon slams a penalty kick – only Staples’ 2^nd ofo the year – home. Fired up, the Wreckers press for the kill. The next goal does not come. But the visitors enjoy the long, 1-0 victorious bus ride home.

Next up: New Milford. The last time the teams met was 2009. The Wreckers romped to a 4-0 massacre in the state LL finals. This time the SWC stalwarts are ranked #5.

The long trip up Route 7 does not slow Staples down. They earn a free kick just 40 seconds in. In the 4^th minute Mahr slams a shot off the post. Four minutes after that, after a short corner, Reid laces a laser cross into the box. Berman power-heads into the net – the defender’s signature scoring play.

Mahr hits the crossbar again. Birch’s turnaround shot is another near miss. But in the 31^st minute Nealon pressures, steals the ball and finds Mahr. The junior chips the keeper from 25.

The upstaters do not go down easily. For the 3^rd time in 5 games, a Westport score is negated by offside. But – aided by Martenson’s’ stunning back heel, 2 punch saves from Hallgarten, and bicycle kicks by Lawrence and Broccolo – the Wreckers prevail.

The victory earns them a quarterfinal shot versus Farmington, at Tunxis Meade. It’s only the 4^th meeting between the longtime powerhouses. But each – Staples’ 2006 9-7 penalty kick triumph; the Indians’ 2-1 seeing-eye free kick victory in the 2010 state finals, and Farmington’s 1-0 win the next year — was a classic.

This is too.

The #4 hosts – big, strong, quick – rely on a bang-it-forward air game. That’s countered by the cohesive defensive unit of Martenson, Berman, Kantor and Lawrence, and of course Hallgarten in goal.

In the 30^th minute, a flurry of activity in Farmington’s box nearly results in a score. But the Indians quickly counter, and as Hallgarten strongly saves a breakaway, Martenson is shown a yellow card. Hallgarten saves the ensuing – and very dangerous – free kick, dead-on just outside the box.

With 2:30 to go in the half, Hallgarten’s monster punt is touched on by Engler. Farmington snuffs Daniels’ chance.

Second-half action ebbs and flows. Three minutes later Hallgarten makes his save of the year, on a rocked headed to the far left corner. Staples holds fast on the corner kick that follows.

Slowly, the Wreckers gain control. They control play, as the northerners tire.

With 13 minutes left, the center official pulls a hamstring. The 15-minute delay while he is wrapped by the trainer gives the Indians a much-needed breather.

Two minutes after play resumes, there’s a controversial play just outside the box. Martenson is shown his 2^nd yellow card – and a seat on the bench.

With his team a man down, Hallgarten saves the ensuing free kick. But a minute later, Farmington scores on a driven corner.

Staples makes the most of the final 9 minutes. But the Indians manage the game, and prevail.

The Wreckers are devastated. The seniors sob on the ground. They’ve given the #4 seed everything they have. They’ve executed their game plan to perfection. They’ve controlled the ground.

But they’ve lost.

Soccer is a cruel game. The blue-and-whites have grown as players, and men. They’ve raised the Staples standard. They’ve found the identity O’Dell asked them to seek.

Still, it’s an excruciatingly long bus ride home.

Quick Kicks

Staples’ 6 ties ties a 1973 record. That year the Wreckers went 13-0-6. They drew 5 times in the regular season, then tied Brien McMahon 1-1 in the FCIAC championship. They went on to win the state tournament, for the 5^th year in a row….

Other varsity players not mentioned include Nick Ambrose, Kenny Brill, Danny Jersey and Griff O’Neill….

For the 14^th straight season, Staples was awarded Academic All-America status by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Their 3.43 team GPA was one of their highest ever….

Coach Nicky Hoberman’s reserve team ended the season 9-1-4….

In his first year as freshman coach, Russell Oost-Lievense led the team to a 9-0-1 record.

RECORD:  9-5-6

QUAD-CAPTAINS:  Josh Berman, Spencer Daniels, Ziggy Hallgarten, Daniel Reid

COACH:  Dan Woog

2017: A SEESAW SEASON

Pre-season

Four days of cliff-jumping, mountain biking and paintball in Vermont get the Wreckers ready for their 2-mile Cooper test — with a cutoff even lower than last year.

2 former Development Academy players — junior Vaughan Sealey and sophomore Patricio Perez Elorza — score in a 2-1 scrimmage win over Fairfield Prep, in an unseasonably cold Wakeman rain.

A disciplined Joel Barlow squad takes their guests 2-1. The Wethersfield jamboree includes 1-0 victories over the hosts and class “M” power Tolland, and a 1-0 loss to Kingswood Oxford.

After 3 years of entertaining Martin Luther King, the Westporters head to the longtime New York champions’ city — specifically, the turf at Asphalt Green. It’s Staples’ 1^st-ever match in NYC. MLK rides an early penalty kick and 3 more halftime goal to a solid 4-0 victory. The Wreckers’ 2^nd half is far better than the 1^st.

Regular season

After many years as the FCIAC’s doormat, Trinity Catholic has made progress in the past couple of years. Now they’ve got a new coach — Michael Martino — and confidence. But this is still the FCIAC. The opener at Albie Loeffler Field goes to the home side 3-0, on strikes by Timmy Liles, Sam Liles and co-captain Matt Engler. Keepers Teddy O’Kane and Ry Cohen do not face one official shot. Still, the Crusaders go on this fall to make more waves than they ever have in the league.

Danbury poses a sterner threat. The 1^st half, matching a pair of quick, play-it-around teams, is even. O’Kane — a sophomore — saves twice, under pressure. Staples’ defense, led by co-captain Chris Martenson, is very solid. But the Hatters’ backs are too. The match ends, fairly, 0-0.

Fairfield Warde, away, is an entirely different type of contest. O’Kane is out: He broke his wrist in the final moments of the previous day’s training. His place is taken by Cohen, the junior. The Mustangs stun the visitors with 3 1^st half goals.

The Westport coaches don’t yell at intermission. They do add a player up top, through defensive caution to the win, and challenge their charges to get 1 goal every 10 minutes.

The first comes 2 minutes after play resumes. Nick Ambrose plays a ball up the right side. Azam Plummer runs on, cuts a textbook ball across the box, and Timmy Liles runs on to finish. Seven minutes later Perez Elorza buries a rebound. In the 64^th minute Perez Elorza coolly slots home Engler’s poised feed.

Tied 3-3, the match gets really interesting. Ambrose, Martenson and Callum Wisher combine to thwart a goalmouth scramble. The Liles brothers, Mahr, Engler, Plummer, Tadeo Messenger, Steven Frost and Will Birch take Cohen’s booming punts and apply fierce pressure.

Four minutes from time, Sam Liles’ tough-angle curving shot from the right seems to beat keeper Cameron Millington. It hits the inside of the far post — and some bounces the wrong back, back on to the field. The crazy match ends 3-3 — Staples’ 2^nd straight draw, but a lot wilder than the previous one.

A large Saturday crowd at sun-dappled Loeffler Field enjoys a 4-0 win over Wilton. Mahr laces in a wicked side volley; Mahr bangs in Birch’s rebound; Frost pounces on a Plummer rebound, and Sam Liles converts Birch’s slot.

Host Trumbull takes the game to Staples from the start — as they often do. Five corner kicks in 5 minutes unsettle the Wreckers. But Martenson, Ambrose, Wisher and Ryan Fincher repel the onslaught. Jason Weinstein’s 30-yard rocket gives the Eagles a 30^th-minute lead they never surrender.

Two — two! — Staples goals are negated by offsides at Central’s Kennedy Stadium. They’re sandwiched around 2 fine Cohen saves. The Hilltoppers get a score that does count 1 minute before halftime, tack on a 2^nd on a quick restart into an empty net, and add a 3^rd by winning a late footrace. It’s a long, hot afternoon. And the season is about to get both hotter and harder.

Staples’ seniors have never beaten Greenwich. The Cards are rolling. The Wreckers are reeling. And the sun is scorching in Westport, at the start of play. Two big Cohen saves spark his side. In the 19^th minute Engler takes a free kid. The ball rebounds out, 20 yards. Sealey never hesitates, blasting a shot into the back of the net. It’s Staples’ 1^st score in 3 games. But 60 minutes remain.

Mahr and Perez Elorza push forward. Engler, Birch and Timmy Liles support them. Fincher wins most headers. Ambrose, Wisher and Martenson defend fiercely. But Greenwich is equal to the task.

Gabe Baltierra comes on as a solid 2^nd half defensive sub. Play flows back and forth. Cohen continues to save — and Timmy Liles clears a ball off the line. Cohen saves the Cards’ final shot with 20 seconds to go. It’s a big win for Staples — and the 1^st ever over Greenwich for everyone on the field.

With temperatures in the 90s, Norwalk arrives at Loeffler Field. They’re fresh off a 1-1 draw with Central — the only blemish on their 5-0-1 mark. Timmy Liles’ long looper 4 minutes in stakes his side to an early lead. It also draws praise from a particularly knowledgeable fan: Kyle Martino ’99, the former national team player and current NBC Sports Premiership analyst.

Cohen saves well, while Plummer and Sam Liles come off the bench to provide key aid. Norwalk fights to the end. But the blue-and-whites are organized and poised — right down to clearing a corner kick with 10 seconds left, to preserve a hard-won 1-0 victory.

The 0-4-3 Brien McMahon Senators are the best winless team around. They score first — a long shot by Jair Suarez that catches the Wreckers by surprise — but Mahr equalizes off Engler’s well-placed corner. He gets his 2^nd after Timmy Liles turns the corner under heavy pressure. It’s Staples’ 3^rd straight 1-goal win.

Wisher is a late scratch at Westhill (injury). Baltierra takes over, and performs very well. Timmy Liles battles through 3 defenders, then delivers a clinical low, hard 31^st-minute shot. Staples’ fitness is the difference from the 65^th minute on, as Plummer pounces on a loose ball, slams in a 2^nd goal from Sam Liles — and then Timmy Liles makes it a 2-goal day for both brothers.

Another Saturday match draws alumni from as far as California for an “Etched in Stone” ceremony. The newest addition to the Loeffler Field terrace honors players who died young. Martino serves as host.

The foe for 6-2-2 Staples is 7-2-0 Stamford. And there’s a plot twist. With 3 keepers out — O’Kane and Matt Epstein injured, Cohen at his grandfather’s memorial service — starting central midfielder Birch is called upon to play in the net.

He more than fills the gap. Birch’s hands are sure, his positioning smart, his decisions spot on. He saves high and low. He punches out. His defense of Martenson, Ambrose, Baltierra and Fincher mark tightly and stick in hard. It’s a back-and-forth match, a memorable, nail-biting battle.

Three seconds before halftime, Timmy Liles injures his foot badly. A broken bone is possible. He does not return.

As the hot sun beats down, the Knights come on hard. With 23 minutes to go, Mahr is shown his 2^nd yellow of the day. Suddenly, the Wreckers have another obstacle: They’re a man down. With 13 minutes left, Birch saves again. But the ball caroms directly — amazingly — onto the foot of Laudo Cardona. He fires low, for the first tally of the long afternoon.

Staples surges forward. Engler’s fine free kick is flicked over the keeper by Frost. It seems to cross the goal line — but is cleared out by a defender.

It’s an exhausting day — mentally and physically. But despite the 1-0 loss, it’s exhilarating for Staples. They faced adversity — a field player in goal, a man down for 23 minutes, a couple of injuries to boot — and battle one of the top teams in the state on even terms. With 5 games left, the season is very, very interesting.

Darien — 0-8-2 — should be a breather. But players can’t think like that. A game is 0-0 until proven otherwise. Missing Mahr (yellow card suspension) and Timmy Liles (injury), the Wreckers do not build on the Stamford match. They don’t rise to the occasion. Playing listlessly, they do the unthinkable. They surrender a corner kick goal with just 3 minutes to go. Suddenly, they’re scrambling — for answers, for an FCIAC playoff berth, even for state tournament qualification.

Next up: Ridgefield, at Tiger Hollow. After dropping their first 2 matches, the Tigers have now reeled off 9 straight wins. Plus they’ve got JT Siano, a Development Academy returnee who may be the best player in the league. Or state.

Oh, yeah: Mahr is still sitting out his yellow card suspension. Timmy Liles is out with an injury.

The coaches’ game plan is to allow Ridgefield a bit of space — but not too much. They’ve got a way to contain Siano. By dictating the tempo, and frustrating their hosts, the Wreckers limit their running — and the Tigers’ chances.

It’s not an elegant match. Neither team has many chances. But it’s a big draw. It’s an important point in the standings — against a team that had not surrendered one in over a month. It’s another up, in a very up-and-down season.

Fairfield Ludlowe draws a lot too. They’re 7-1-4 — but despite just 1 loss, they’re only in 5^th place in the race for 8 league playoff spots. Staples (6-3-4) is 7^th. The match is (of course!) another 0-0 draw.

Now only 2 regular season games remain. Staples must win them both to qualify for the FCIAC tourney. And even that may not be enough.

New Canaan welcomes Staples to its new turf field — so new, the Rams have never even trained on it. It’s big, but it’s like an away match for both sides. New Canaan features former Development Academy player Alex Zarikos. He’s coming off 2 straight hat tricks — including a 3-1 upset of league-leading Ridgefield. The Wreckers don’t man mark him. But they don’t let him get inside, either.

Offsides trips up Staples in the first half. Birthday boy Mahr bangs a ball off the crossbar. Cohen comes out hard to smother Zarikos, then snags the resulting corner kick.

A huge adrenaline shot comes 10 minutes past intermission. Timmy Liles — the left midfielder with the wicked service and blistering shot — returns for the first time in 4 games. Without him, Staples has not scored.

In the 60^th minute, Liles fires a shot off the post. A Ram mental error leads to a free kick, which leads to a corner kick. Engler rips it quickly into the goalmouth. Birch tries to shoot. The ball bounces crazily. Perez Elorza scuffs it in. It’s Staples’ 1^st score in 400 minutes.

But in the 68^th minute, New Canaan gets a penalty kick. It’s the first called against Staples all year. Zarikos sets up to take it. But the Wreckers have an ace in the hole. Freshman keeper Spencer Henske has seen a video, and before the match told his father — assistant coach Tom Henske — where the shot would go. Cohen dives left — and saves the low, hard shot.

Energized, Staples scores a minute later. Sam Liles slots a perfect pass — to his brother Timmy.

The Westporters close out the season with a 3-1 victory on Senior Day against St. Joseph. Birch, Mahr and Plummer score. Staples gets ready for the FCIAC tournament. Yes, they’ve surmounted many challenges and qualified.

FCIAC tournament

Staples is #7 in the FCIAC tournament. They draw archrival/nemesis Greenwich — #2 — in the quarterfinals. The trip down I-95 is not worth the time. The match is nowhere near is scintillating as the teams’ regular season encounter. The Cardinals use that loss as motivation. The Wreckers — playing lackluster soccer — concede goals in the 8^th and 16^th minutes. They spend the next hour futilely chasing the game. The 2-0 loss is well deserved.

State tournament

Redemption could come in the state “LL” tourney. The Wreckers are seeded 21^st — exactly the same as the year before. Their foe is Stamford: victors by 1-0 in that regular season, without-a-keeper, 10-man, injury-filled match a few weeks earlier.

The Westporters come out firing. Liles, Mahr and Engler led the charge, shutting down the Knights’ attack before it begins and initiating dangerous attacks. Perez Elorza dn Sealey lend support, while Ambrose lends stability in the middle.

But the 1^st-half key is defense. Fincher is his usual strong presence in midfield. Marenson is impregnable. Baltierra patrols the left flank solidly. On the right, Birch gives an added dimension.

Two free kicks sail over the crossbar. Sam Liles just misses. Martenson heads high over the bar. Stamford’s offside trap keeps Staples at bay.

The scoreless match wears on. Cohen saves expertly twice, with 7 minutes to go.

In extra time, the blue-and-whites pour it on. Three minutes remain in the first OT, Birch wins a strong tackle and finds Sealey. The junior plays a long ball down the right side. Plummer runs it down in the corner, and slots a cross. The keeper can’t handle the ball, which bounces right to Timmy Liles’ foot. He calmly finishes into a nearly open net.

Stamford comes right back. But the visitors manage the game to the end — and manage to avenge both their previous loss to the Knights, and their FCIAC performance against Greenwich.

The win brings up a 2^nd straight road trip, to play a league foe. Ridgefield — #5 in the seedings — waits at Tiger Hollow, the same site where Staples shut down high-scoring Siano earlier in the year. Can they do it again?

The key is once again defense – and Ambrose, who is tasked with denying Siano the ball. The Tigers counter with an offside trap. The first half is played almost entirely outside both teams’ 18s. Neither side has a telling shot until late, when Cohen punches a strong ball clear.

The Wreckers stick to their game plan after intermission. Ridgefield sits back, waiting to counter. They get 3 corners, one of which Timmy Liles clears off the line.

For the 2^nd straight match, Staples is in overtime. The temperature is near freezing. Players and fans are ice cold. But the action on the field is red hot.

Three minutes into the 1^st OT, Ridgefield rifles a shot off the bar. Action surges end to end — now, into both 18s.

With less than 4 minutes to go in the 1^st period, a Ridgefield shot caroms off the left post. Scooter Glass is in the right place, at the right time. He hammers it home.

Energized, the Tigers press for another. But the Wreckers battle even more fiercely.

It’s for naught. The hosts protect their lead, through the 2^nd overtime period. Staples’ season is over. It ends on as high a note as a loss can be. Staples has indeed honored the program’s legacy — as the pre-season t-shirts promised. But the goal of a 13^th state championship remains unfulfilled.

Quick kicks

The Wreckers celebrate United Soccer Coaches’ Play With Pride initiative — showing support for LGBT players and coaches — by wearing rainbow laces against Central….

Sophomore keeper Matt Epstein makes his varsity debut when Cohen is briefly injured in that Central match.

The 2016 Staples varsity receives another United Soccer Coaches Academic All-America award, for a team GPA of well over 3.25. It’s the Wreckers 15^th in 16 years…

Coach Nicky Hoberman and Brad Green’s reserves finish 10-3-2. Coach Russell Oost-Lievense and Riley Lynch’s freshmen are 8-4-1….

Other varsity players not previously mentioned include Josh DeDomenico, Jake Didner and Brendan Lynch. In addition, Wilson Daniels, Nick DiMasi, Rob Diorio and Lefty Penderakis all see varsity time during the season.

RECORD:  9-6-4

CO-CAPTAINS:  Matt Engler, Chris Martenson

COACH:  Dan Woog