Match Report: Staples vs. Brien McMahon
One mark of a championship-caliber soccer team is the ability to score early, then put teams away.
Staples has done that , nearly all season long.
Another key characteristic is patience.
The Wreckers scored early today, at Brien McMahon’s chilly and narrow Pride Field.
But the Senators — 6-2-2, and unbeaten in their last 5 matches — gave Staples’ one of their closest battles of the year.
A penalty kick tied the score. But patiently, the guests got a second goal, then an insurance tally. The hosts made things exciting with a great second strike. Unrattled, the Westporters played their game to the end.
Their 3-2 victory solidified their commanding lead in the FCIAC. Now13-0-1, the Wreckers have just 2 regular season contests left. They’re at Wilton Wednesday night (6:30 p.m.), then welcome Darien to Wakeman Field on Friday (4 p.m.). The FCIAC tournament begins next week, followed by state competition.
It took Staples only 4 minutes to dent the scoreboard. Noah Rossoni got the ball at midfield. He sent Adrian Rossoni in, for a nifty 1-touch finish.
The lead lasted a mere 6 minutes, before McMahon tied it up with a PK.
Keeper Zach Delman guessed correctly, but could not save the shot. He had an active and effective game, punching away 3 good shots, and being forced into low saves several other times.
In the 30th minute, the Senators failed to clear. Greyson Downes stole the ball, then found Rossoni open in the box. The Haverford commit turned, and blasted in the go-ahead goal.
Defender Ciaran Kennedy immediately created an opportunity on the right. Rodriguez and Downes had chances too.
The Senators had chances of their own. McMahon offered more resistance than most foes, though.
In the 58th minute, Staples struck again. Moments after his solid rip was saved, Alex Saleeb delivered a fine cross to Rodriguez. He followed with an equally nice header. It was the Wesleyan-bound senior’s 9th goal in 4 games.
Again, the Norwalkers came right back. The blast into the left corner was the 4th surrendered by Staples this year, and by far the best.
McMahon coach Rodrigo Guzman urged his team: “You have to believe!” They stayed in the game, but their 2 attackers were no match for Delman, and his back line of Kennedy, Thomas Pretty, Ryan Allen and Peter Nelson.
Staples controlled possession and tempo, for much of the rest of the match. Reserves Jaden Waldman, Arthur Khisyamov, Kai Massicott and Gus Reyna kept the pressure on, as the Wreckers managed the match well to the end.
The Senators played the final 6 minutes a man down. A defender earned a red card, fouling Massicott as the last man back to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. FINAL SCORE: Staples 3, Brien McMahon 2. SEASON RECORD: 13-0-2.
QUICK KICKS: The crowd in Norwalk included alumni Dave Wilson (Staples ’75), and former state champs Tom Greenwald, Poncho Rodriguez (no relation to Adrian) and Steve Lichtman ….
The freshmen pulled away from a 3-3 halftime tie, to beat Brien McMahon 6-3. Jake Fishman scored 4 goals; Ben Britten and Santi Rozo added solo tallies. Assists came from Britten, Rozo, Mischa Shakun and Andrew Birns.
