Match Report: Staples vs. New Canaan

After an absence of several years, Staples returned tonight to New Canaan’s Dunning Stadium. The Wreckers were coming off an opening season win; the Rams had lost just 1-0 to Danbury, away.

The hosts have several very solid players. Their game plan was to sit back, then quickly counter. It worked for much of the first half. Staples controlled the ball and tempo, but could not penetrate beyond the 18.

In the 19th minute though, a throw-in turned into an opportunity. Consecutive headers by Murilo Moreno and Reese Watkins got the ball to Marius Ekeberg. His volley from 3 yards out put the visitors up 1-0.

Jacob Greenberger saved well in the 24th minute. Ten minutes later, Moreno drew a foul in the box. He took the penalty, and converted cleanly for a 2-0 lead.

That was the score through most of the second half. The Westporters came close several times — particularly when Will Adams sent Caleb Tobias through — but New Canaan never gave up. A penalty kick with 7 minutes left halved the deficit, and gave them new energy. The final minutes were back and forth, but Staples managed the match intelligently.

The first 2 games were good tune-ups for their next match. Greenwich comes to Loeffler Field on Saturday. Kickoff is 11:30 a.m., for one of the key matchups of the young FCIAC season. FINAL SCORE: Staples 2, New Canaan 1. SEASON RECORD: 2-0-0.

QUICK KICKS: Since Staples’ first win over New Canaan in 1958 (5-2), the Wreckers have lost just 3 times to the Rams. The blue-and-whites’ overall record against New Canaan in the past 63 years is 56 wins, 3 losses and 15 ties….

The reserves edged New Canaan 1-0, on a Chase Watkins penalty kick. On Saturday it was Staples 2, Ridgefield 0, with goals from Matt Shackelford (from Lucas Carpi) and Kyle Ambrose (unassisted). Coach Chris Flaherty cited Adam Syah, Carpi and Watkins for their strong play …

The freshmen debuted with a 6-0 win over Darien. Goals came from Zac Belzer (2), Colin Stretton, Sebi Cruz, Sam Rossoni and Emmett Nivaud, with assists by Zach Gorin (2), Jackson Tracey, Jonny Costello and Ryan Sunjka. Coach Elisee Joseph said that Gorin, Nivaud and Rossoni led the attack, and Belzer fortified the defense.