Match Report: Staples vs. Brien McMahon [UPDATE – WITH PHOTOS]

For the second time in 3 days, the Staples soccer team was patient.

This afternoon at Wakeman Field, that patience produced results much more quickly than Tuesday night in New Canaan, where it took 60 minutes to score in a 1-0 win.

After strong early pressure from Brien McMahon, the Wreckers tallied 8 minutes in.

Josh Whitaker’s alert, against-the-run-of play goal gave Staples the break they needed. They took control of the game, ascored again 12 minutes before halftime — and then 120 seconds later.

Two more well-struck second half goals earned the hosts a solid 5-1 victory. The Senators — who dropped a 3-1 decision to a strong Stamford side in their home opener — fell to 0-2.

The schedule ramps up quickly. The Wreckers host a 12 p.m. Saturday match against non-conference Enfield, then prepare for a huge week.

Norwalk and Stamford come to Wakeman Field on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, for 4 p.m. matches. On Saturday, September 13, Staples travels to always-tough Darien for a 2 p.m. contest.

The turning point today came in the 8th minute. Josh Whitaker picked up a loose ball on the left side, inside the penalty area. He one-timed it with the outside of his right foot, into the far corner. An opportunistic strike like that can change a game — and this one did.

McMahon — quicker ad more organized than New Canaan — forced keeper Jack D’Amore into an excellent top-of-the-box breakaway save in the 14th minute. But after that, the game belonged to Staples.

In the 28th minute Ford Epstein opened up the field with a seeing-eye, crossfield pass to Whitaker. The wide-ranging attacker’s low, hard shot was saved. But Noah Rossoni wsa right there, to bang the rebound in. It was a repeat of the winning goal against the Rams — including the same initial shooter and scorer.

Two minutes later, it was 3-0. Just 10 seconds after being sent into the match by coach Liam Witham, Nico Reyna fired. Adrian Rodriguez — a sub at the same time — used his first touch to finish Reyna’s rebound.

A rare defensive lapse allowed the Norwalkers to slice the margin to 3-1, in the 34th minute.

But the second half — with the substantial wind at their backs — belonged entirely to the Wreckers.

Four minutes after intermission, Lucas Alarcon-Frias’ lofting 35-yard free kick was finished by Ford Epstein. He outleaped his defender, heading gently but crisply home.

Epstein laced another shot shortly thereafter. D’Amore scooped up the few balls that snuck through. As in New Canaan, the blue-and-whites won most 50/50 balls, with intelligent positioning and a tenacious spirit.

Rodriguez was saved well on a breakaway. But he was not denied in the 62nd minute, showing poise on a long breakaway off an outlet by keeper D’Amore. Despite being bumped, Rodriguez kept possession, and finished with authority.

The junior had 2 good chances for a hat trick, one on a header and the other off a corner kick, but had to settle for a brace. Minutes later, Gabe Duque’s shot off a Rodriguez corner kick was saved.

Reserves like Thomas Pretty kept up the presure throughout.

Staples will need patience again next week. And stamina. But so far: a solid start to the new season. FINAL SCORE: Staples 5, Brien McMahon 1. SEASON RECORD: 2-0-0.

QUICK KICKS: Captain Gabe Hellmann missed the game, with an injury. His spot on the back line was filled well by Emmett Zahler ….

The Wakeman Field crowd included the Staples girls team — and a raucous group of superfans ….

McMahon picked up 3 yellow cards in the match. The Wreckers have none, through 2 games ….

The junior varsity won their second straight match, this one 4-2 over Brien McMahon. Kai Massicott scored twcie; Owen Green and Spencer Derakhshan notched the others. Assists came from Massicott and Ciaran Kennedy. Kennedy earned kudos for his midfield play ….

The freshmen continued their winning ways, with a 3-0 shutout of Brien McMahon. Max McDermott scored twice, and Pedro Almeida once.