Match Report: Staples vs. Harding

Harding-Bridgeport was a member of the FCIAIC from 1992 to 2014.

When the Presidents left the league, the Wreckers’ all-time record against them was 19-2-1.

Today marked the first match between the schools in nearly a decade. It was a non-conference affair; Harding requested it. Now that they have no league, they must construct their own schedule, with teams that have open dates. This was Staples’ 16th regular season match — the maximum allowed. All others are FCIAC contests.

The Bridgeporters brought a 5-4-0 record to Wakeman Field. But this was the first LL (extra large) school they faced.

Bus problems delayed their arrival. Kickoff was 4:50 p.m. — the usual start of the second half.

Staples scored early and often. They netted 5 first half goals, then called off their horses and added one more in the second for a 6-0 win.

The first tally came in the 11th minute. Gabe Hellman curved a ball into Avery Mueller, who carried through the box. He fed Sam Rossoni, who slid through and finished well.

Two minutes later Mueller rounded the keeper. Chase Watkins was there to add the second score.

Mueller slammed 2 shots off the post. Then Zach Gorin lofted a ball across the penalty area. Rossoni nodded it calmly in, for his second 2-goal match of the season.

Two minutes after that — in the 25th minute — center back Santi Alfageme played a long ball over the top. Mueller picked it up in stride, for a 4-0 edge.

Just before halftime, sophomore Mike Brennan and Watkins combined to hit Grey Epstein, for a nice tap-in goal.

Jonny Costello’s second-half goal rounded out the scoring.

The road gets tougher for Staples on Saturday. The 9-1-2 Wreckers host the 8-2-1 Trumbull at Wakeman field; kickoff is 10;30 a.m. Staples. The Westporters are first in the FCIAC, and on top of the LL table. The Eagles are tied for second in the league, and third in LL. FINAL SCORE: Staples 6, Harding 0. SEASON RECORD: 9-1-2.

QUICK KICKS: Coach Russell Oost-Lievense inserted 3 sophomores into the starting lineup: Gabe Hellman, Brendan Allen and Dylan Shackelford …

Sophomore Will Briggs made his varsity debut late in the first half, in goal …

The freshmen had an excellent match with Fairfield Prep. After a scoreless first half, Max Hill hit a 30-yeard shot off the crossbar (his 5th of the season), and the Jesuits had a sure goal cleared off the line by Owen Green. Prep then nailed in a 25-yard free kick, and had the momentum. Adrian Rodriguez and Arthur Khisyamov had shots saved, but Rodriguez put the third rebound away. Two minutes later, Rodriguez received a beautiful pass from Rossoni, and slotted it past the diving keeper. Three minutes later, Rodriguez one-timed Rossoni’s free kick into the box. One minute after that, Lucas Alarcon-Frias rammed home a penalty kick. An own goal cut the Wreckers’ lead to 4-2, but very quickly Anit Arvind fed Khisyamov for an 18-yard goal. A late strike by Prep made the final score 5-3. Coach Chris O’Dell cited defenders Green, Alarcon-Frias, Thomas Pretty, Ryan Allen and Sasha Cherep for their work against the Jesuits’ talented front line.