Match Report: Staples vs. Bridgeport Central
This year’s Central team is much better than the past few years.
Still, they were no match for surging Staples.
With many 12th graders playing prominent roles on Senior Day, the Wreckers subdued the visiting Bridgeporters 5-0, at Wakeman Field.
Central (3-5-3) defended strongly against their unbeaten foes, and linked up well all over the field. It took 16 minutes — an eternity for this 2026 side — to notch the first goal. Lucas Alarcon’s blast was saved. But the keeper gave up a rebound, and Adrian Rodriguez pounced.
It was Rodriguez again for number 2, off a feed from overlapping defender Peter Nelson. That made 8 goals in 3 games, for the Wesleyan-bound attacker.
Head coach Liam Witham used all his seniors for much of the second half. Andrew Xu, Ethan Katzner and Will McDonald were both saved well. But in the 49th minute Noah Rossoni found Arthur Khisyamov, and put the match out of reach.
McDonald then launched a stellar ball across the box. Rossoni headed home, with authority.
The final tally — an own goal — came off a long cross from defender Ryan Allen.
Senior keeper Harrison Waller, making his first start of the season, kept his clean sheet with a diving save on a 60th minute rocket.
The end of the regular season is in sight. Three matches remain before the FCIAC and state tournaments. The first is Saturday at Brien McMahon; kickoff is 11:30 a.m. Wilton and Darien follow, next week. FINAL SCORE: Staples 5, Bridgeport Central 0. SEASON RECORD: 12-0-1.
QUICK KICKS: Quad-captain Jack D’Amore has been injured all year, with a torn ACL. But he was on the field today for the opening kickoff. Last year, as a junior, D’Amore played a key role in Staples’ state and FCIAC championships….
The junior varsity beat Bridgeport Central 4-2, on Massimo Ferrari’s hat trick and Loewe Epstein’s solo strike. Earlier, they shut out Fairfield Ludlowe 3-0, on two goals by Ferrari and one by Mateo Riera.
The 2026 Staples High School seniors.
Senior Day at Wakeman Field. (Photo/Dani Reyna)
