Match Report: Staples vs. Fairfield Warde

Last night’s match at Fairfield Warde was a big one: 7-0-2, FCIAC Western Conference leader Staples at 5-1-3, East-leading Fairfield Warde.

The game lived up to its expectations. It was well-played, hard-fought — and, in the end, a spirited 3-0 Wrecker victory.

Jacob Rybchin sends this account:

Staples struggled to maintain early possession, or penetrate into the final third. Warde was dangerous, forcing a punch save by keeper Nick Sikorski, then taking a shot that narrowly missed.

Zach Gorin narrowly missed too. Sikorski denied another chance in the 20th minute, and 5 minutes later snatches a header in midair.

In the 27th minute, the visitors drew first blood. Avery Mueller drove from midfield down the left flank, bedeviling 3 defenders. He cut into the box and squared the ball to Emmett Nivaud, who calmly slotted it in. Nivaud has proven to be a valuable recent partner for co-captain Mueller.

A Warde free kick hit the defensive wall, and went out for a corner kick. Cormac Mulvey cleared that with a solid header. The momentum shifted, with Staples threatening and the Mustangs on the back foot. Three minutes before halftime Mueller was taken down, and Warde was shown the first of several yellow cards.

In the second half, Jack Schwartz’s header off the goal line epitomized Staples’ strong defense, with fellow backs Santi Alfageme, Zach Beebe and Mulvey, and defensive midfielder Adam Syah.

A left-footed shot by Mueller was narrowly saved. The Mustangs earned their second yellow when Jonny Costello was taken down. The Warde coach was then shown a red, for strong dissent. The contest was growing scrappy.

Luca Escalarte halted a Warde threat in his own box. A minute later Alfageme sent a free kick to the feet of Zach Gorin. He sent Mueller blitzing forward. A simple touch rounded the oncoming keeper. One deft touch from the Wreckers’ leading scorer doubled their lead.

It was nearly 3-0 in the 62nd minute, but Lucas Carpi shot high. Warde received 2 more yellows for dissent, as Staples ramped up the pressure.

Gorin’s volley was high, but 3 minutes from time Mueller received the ball at midfield. Flanked by Carpi and Chase Watkins, he drove through himself and finished cleanly bottom right. It was a fitting end to a high octane night.

Head coach Russell Oost-Lievense and co-captains Mueller and Alfageme low-keyed the result. All expressed the same thought: On to the next game.

It’s Tuesday, also at night and also in Fairfield: 7 p.m., at Ludlowe. FINAL SCORE: Staples 3, Fairfield Warde 0. SEASON RECORD: 8-0-2.

QUICK KICKS: Matt Shackelford ’23 was a special guest. His sophomore defender brother Dylan is a varsity player …

The junior varsity shut out Fairfield Warde 4-0. Jacob Rybchin reports that Gabe Duque’s cross into a congested box was half-volleyed beautifully by Luca Caniato — back from injury — into the left corner. In the second half striker Adrian Rodriguez was sent over the top. He took the ball down beautifully. His shot was saved, but fellow freshman Greyson Downes was there to score on the rebound. In the 71st minute Rodriguez took another through ball, drove to the corner and squared it to Downes on the near post. He punched it through for a 3-0 edge. Rodriguez got the final goal, on a tap-in….

The freshmen edged Fairfield Warde 3-2, in a good match. Ten minutes in, Noah Rossoni hit Owen Green with a beautiful pass; he slotted it past the keeper. Fifteen minutes later Arthur Khisyamov powered past 2 defenders and finished. The Wreckers had the run of play in the first half, but the Mustangs had chances. Keeper Jack D’Amore made difficult stuffs on close-range shots. Warde came out strong in the second half, netting 2 goals in the first 10 minutes — the second on a penalty kick. The young Westporters kept their composure and owned the final 30 minutes, playing excellent Staples soccer. With 15 minutes remaining, ,Rossoni’s long free kick toward the top of the box was headed home by Max Hill. The Fairfielders kept fighting but Staples’ defense stood tall, including a nice slide tackle with 5 minutes to go by Jonah Bornback.