Match Report: Staples vs. New Canaan
When Staples’ Gabe Duque scored just 1:28 into today’s season opener against New Canaan, it looked like the rout was on.
But this is FCIAC soccer, where anything can happen.
Of course, it did.
Despite faster team and individual speed, and a bit of a tactical edge, the Wreckers let the Rams hang around.
The Wakeman Field visitors gained confidence. With just 15 minutes to play, they leveled the score.
But this is FCIAC soccer. There was more to come.
Within 6 minutes, Brendan Allen’s one-touch shot regained the lead.
Staples iced the victory with a mere 13 seconds, on a beautifully placed Gabe Hellmann free kick.
The 3-1 victory gave the coaching staff a bit of angst. But it showed their boys have the ability to gut out a win — a necessity in the anything-can-happen FCIAC.
The Westporters’ starting lineup of 6 seniors, 3 juniors and 2 sophomores might have looked different, had 8 players — at least 4 of them potential starters — not been out with injuries.
But the well-drilled team showed no signs of nerves or worries, at the opening whistle. Barely 1 minute had elapsed when Jonny Costello stole a ball near the penalty area, and found Duque. The junior — starting his first varsity match — finished cleanly, into an open net.
One of the quickest opening goals in Wrecker history portended more. So did the squad’s trademark possession, short passing and flexible shape.
Will Murray — a senior who played his first 3 seasons in the MLS Next academy program — proved a worthy addition to Zach Gorin, the wide-ranging midfielder.
The Wreckers attacked relentless. They found feet, spread the field and dictated the rhythm,
But the second goal did not come. Not before halftime, and not during the first 30 minutes after the break.
Coach Russell Oost-Lievense showed confidence in his bench, substituting throughout on the hot turf.
Suddenly, with time ticking down, a ball across the goalmouth forced sophomore keeper Jack D’Amore into a great punch save. The ball was not cleared, though, and the Rams banged a loose ball home for the sudden, stunning equalizer.
Undaunted, the blue-and-whites went back to work. In the 70th minute Dylan Shackelford roamed forward and hit Allen, with his back to the goal. His fellow junior turned, kept his composure. and tucked an unsaveable shot into the corner.
Cormac Mulvey and Jack Schwartz led the back line, over the final minutes. Max Hill nearly finished a breakaway.
With 3 minutes remaining, D’Amore made a solid save. At the other end, Aaron Varsov’s shot was saved.
The Rams battled to the end, in the hectic waning minutes.
And — because this is the FCIAC, where anything can happen — it did, again.
The New Canaan keeper was shown a red card, for a foul outside the box on a breakaway. Hellmann — another junior — rifled the ensuing free kick low and hard, for the by-then-unneeded insurance goal.
This is the FCIAC, where there is little rest once the season begins. Staples is back in action Friday. Kickoff is 4 p.m., at Brien McMahon. FINAL SCORE: Staples 3, New Canaan 1. SEASON RECORD: 1-0-0.
QUICK KICKS: Today’s starters included D’Amore, Allen, Schwartz, Murray, Costello, Gorin, Duque, Mulvey, Zach Beebe, Noah Rossoni and Josh Whittaker ….
Three seniors are out for the season, with injuries suffered earlier: Zac Belzer, Elliot Galin and Ryan Sunjka …
The junior varsity overpowered New Canaan, 8-1. Owen Goldfarb earned a hat trick; Max Triscari and Sam DiGiovanni added 1 goal and 1 assist each; Adriano Carpi, Andrew Xu and Zach Gillman scored 1 apiece; Owen Perry assisted twice, and Felix Mermagen also assisted ….
The freshman won handily over New Canaan, 7-1. Goals came from Kai Massicott (2), Henry Green, Eli Zev, Theodore Morali and Sebastian Elizondo. Spencer Derakhshan looked strong on defense, while keeper Zach Delman made a great 1-on-1 save in the open field ….
Dylan Hoke, who played for Staples as a sophomore and junior, then spent last season in the MLS Next academy, started for Connecticut College in last night’s 3-0 win over the Merchant Marine Academy.
Tri-captain Cormac Mulvey patrols the back. (Photo/Mike Beebe)
Tri-captain Zach Beebe goes stride for stride for a loose ball. (Photo/Mike Beebe)
Gabe Hellmann earns congrats for his late insurance goal. (Photo/Mike Beebe)
Dylan Shackelford came on strongly, and set up the game winning goal. (Photo/Mike Beebe)
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