Match report: Staples vs. Fairfield Ludlow3

All season long, assistant coach Chris O’Dell has urged the Wreckers to find their identity.

Heading into the homestretch of the FCIAC season, they may be doing just that.

Over the past few years, Staples-Fairfield Ludlowe has turned into a heated rivalry. This year’s contest at Taft Field promised to provide another intense affair. Both teams are battling for playoff spots, state seedings, and bragging rights over the town next door.

The Falcons game is keyed on counterattacks and long throws. The Wreckers met that with stellar defense by Chris Martenson, Sam Kantor, Teddy Lawrence, Josh Berman and — moving back from his usual midfield spot — Daniel Reid. Behind them, keeper Ziggy Hallgarten — with a fierce sun in his eyes — made several superb saves, off those dangerous counters and throws.

The 2nd half saw better Staples pressure up top, and more simple passes. The result was a surge of offense. Martenson’s bone-crunching tackle led to a great run by Spencer Daniels. Hallgarten saved a corner kick, outletted quickly and the Wreckers went straight to goal. Matteo Broccolo fed Thomas Nealon; the ensuing corner kick was cleared off the line.

But as the clock clicked down, the 2 sides remained deadlocked.

Suddenly, with only 11 minutes to play, Anton Mahr — the hard-working, wide-ranging junior forward — went to work in the far right corner. He spotted Jannis Dietze open a few yards out on the near post. The sophomore’s shot was saved, but rebounded right to Tyler Wright. The junior wasted no time, pinging in from close distance.

O’Dell and the rest of the coaching staff urged their squad to go for another. The Falcons added a 3rd attacker, but the Wreckers pressed forward.

Their fitness paid off, just 1:03 from time. Mahr served a beautiful through ball. Daniels ran on, with a finish that left no doubt who was in charge.

The Wreckers are indeed forging their identity. It’s one that past generations of Staples players can appreciate: defensive stalwarts who get stronger as the match goes on. FINAL SCORE: Staples 2, Fairfield Ludlowe 0. SEASON RECORD: 6-2-3.

QUICK KICKS: The game started nearly 15 minutes late, because the 2nd referee was late. One of the officials from the reserve match on a nearby field filled in, and called a very good game….

Coach Nicky Hoberman reports on the reserves’ match: “

In a battle of undefeated teams, Staples stepped onto Fairfield Ludlowe’s field ready for battle. After 20 minutes, Lefty Penderakis gave the Wreckers great energy. A brutal sun shined down on the pitch, but that was the only flaw in the weather. The first half came and went with few chances. Led by Ryan Fincher, Staples won most balls in the air. The 2nd half was much more exciting. When one of the officials moved to the varsity game, the reserves match became even grittier. With the game nearing its end. Wilson Daniels down the left flank served a long diagonal ball to Josh Zhang, blazing a trail down the right. He settled it on the run. Shot it. And started celebrating! 1-0 Staples. With the ball rattling around the back of the net, the referee blew his whistle signaling game over. Alejandro Perez Elorza led the race onto the field. The English boys, Daniel Laughney and Brad Cox, led “Josh Zhang” chants on the bus ride home capping an amazing evening for the Staples High School reserves!”….

The freshmen defeated Fairfield Ludlowe 2-1. Benny Feuer put his side up 1-0; the Falcons equalized, but Taddeo Messenger’s last-minute header off Aiden Rose’s corner kick won the game. “It was an amazing match, and a great team performance,” said coach Russell Oost-Livense. He cited Josh DeDomenico, Lars Djuve, Kevin Lindwall and Nick Hein for particularly strong performances. The frosh decided as a team to wear pink socks, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.