Match Report: Staples vs. Brien McMahon

Last year — late in the season — Brien McMahon knocked Staples out of the FCIAC tournament, with a 3-1 victory. They return several key players; they are quick, technical, and one of the preseason favorites to make a run at the FCIAC crowd.

The Wreckers have not gotten as much love from the “experts.” Today’s match would be an excellent test for both sides, in the still very early stages of the schedule.

The visitors controlled much of the first half, at Wakeman Field. They won more 50/50 balls, were a half-step quicker, and controlled the tempo. Attackers Avery Mueller, Lucas Carpi and Jonny Costello saw little of the ball for the opening 30 minutes; they had difficulty establishing their trademark quick passing game and switches of field.

But they were patient. They did not deviate from their game plan. After intermission, they played toe-to-toe with the Senators.

In the 50th minute Mueller was fouled; for the second time in the match, his opponent was shown a yellow card. Chase Watkins played the free kick dangerously to the far post.

In the 65th minute keeper Nick Sikorski saved well. Gabe Hellman immediately sent Mueller in. His shot was nicked away, for a corner kick.

Watkins delivered it low. McMahon cleared over the line, for another Staples corner. This time he laced it all the way across the goalmouth. Zach Gorin waited patiently on the far left side, unmarked. The junior attacking midfielder slammed it first time into the far netting. There was no doubt; the Wreckers led 1-0.

It was up to defenders Santiago Alfageme, Alex Kuster and Jack Schwartz to keep their poise, lock the back down and keep the clean sheet. It was not easy — but they did.

Schwartz cleared one ball off the line; Emmett Nivaud contributed a crunching tackle, and they all stepped up to catch the Senators offside. Sikorski smothered a long, curving shot with 2 minutes to go, to ice the match.

The win marked a big step forward for Staples. They earned an important win, against a very solid foe. Now they prepare to face another strong Norwalk opponent: Norwalk High, Tuesday at Wakeman. Kickoff is 4 p.m. FINAL SCORE: Staples 1, Brien McMahon 0. SEASON RECORD: 2-0-0.

QUICK KICKS: The junior varsity shut out Brien McMahon 3-0. Jacob Rybchin reports: “After keeper Ford Epstein scooped up a ball, Staples worked it through th efield. Josh Whitaker slotted a beautiful through ball to Gabe Duque. He took a touch at speed, and slid it past the onrushing keeper. Capitalizing on a Senator mistake at midfield, Whitaker drove down the line and cross to Karsten Langone. After a great move, he hit a weak-footed shot to the bottom left. When Greyson Downes was taken down at the edge of the box, Whitaker curled a gorgeous ball onto Downes’ head. He finished well, for the third goal….

The freshmen won 6-2 over Brien McMahon. Adrian Rodriguez had a had trick; Anit Arvind, Owen Green and Noah Rossoni had 1 goal each. Rossoni commanded the middle of the field; Ryan Allen played strongly on defense, and Max Hill was a terror to the Senator backs ….

Staples’ varsity, junior varsity and freshmen had a joint pasta dinner last night at Staples. The evening included an inspirational talk by a Fairfield father whose son was killed in a drunk driving accident, along with a Staples soccer trivia game.