Match Report: Staples vs. Danbury
Danbury coach Antony Howard brought just 16 players to Wakeman Field today.
But what the Hatters lacked in numbers, they made up for with tenacity, crisp passing and their trademark tight defense.
In a match that began quietly, then opened up in the final 25 minutes, neither team found the net. The 0-0 draw gives Staples a 10-1-3 record, heading into the final 2 games of the regular season. Danbury’s 5th tie of the season makes them 5-3-5, with a solid shot at an FCIAC playoff berth.
In the first half — 3 days after a big win against Trumbull — the Wreckers lacked their usual take-it-to-’em mentality. The visitors were more dangerous in the final third. But Staples defenders Santi Alfageme, Cormac Mulvey, Zach Beebe and Jack Schwartz remained poised, and kept Danbury far from the goal.
The hosts’ first good chance of the day came 2 minutes after halftime. Lucas Carpi’s shot was handled well. Mulvey’s low shot was saved low; then Wrecker keeper Nick Sikorski made a key stop after a rare defensive lapse.
Sam Rossoni added a spark, winning balls, serving crosses, and slamming one shot off the crossbar. Staples came alive, with Avery Mueller seeing more of the ball. He slipped through once dangerously, but was stopped; later, he headed a corner kick just high.
The Hatters’ best chance came in the 58th minute, when an attacker rounded the defense. He slashed a ball through the box, but no one met it.
After 5 draws, Danbury is used to that result. For Staples, it was an unsatisfying finish, with just one week left in the season. The final two matches are on the road: at St. Joseph Thursday, and Westhill next Tuesday. Both begin at 4 p.m. FINAL SCORE: Staples 0, Danbury 0. SEASON RECORD: 10-1-3.
QUICK KICKS: Chris O’Dell’s freshmen brought their “greatest show on turf” to the muddy Danbury grass. In the 20gth minute Jonah Bomback won a slide tackle, picked up the loose ball and fed Owen Green, who slotted it home. It was negated by offside, and 5 minutes later the Hatters scored on what the Wreckers thought was offside too. With 8 minutes left in the first half, Max Hill hit a birthday rip from 25 yards out into the side pocked. The second half was all Staples. They created numerous scoring chances, while note giving an inch when Danbury tried to transition. Seven minutes in, Hill was taken down in the box. Lucas Alarcon-Frias converted the penalty kick. Ten minutes later Andrew Xu pounced on a loose ball slid past the charging keeper and calmly finished from 25 yards out. The Westporters continued to have chance, but shot just wide or high in the mud. O’Dell cited Alarcon-Frias, Sasha Cherep, Thomas Pretty and Ryan Allen for great work against the Hatters’ attackers.
Avery Mueller looks for daylight against Danbury.
Eli Rosenkranz
Elliot Galin (All photos/Mark Sikorski)
