Match Report: Staples vs. Norwalk [UPDATED – WITH PHOTOS]

Halfway through the regular season, Staples’ boys soccer team has made its mark.

They score early. They score often. They put the hammer down. They put teams away.

All those qualities were on full display tonight. The Westporters rode Greyson Downes’ 4 straight goals to a decisive 5-0 victory over Norwalk, at West Rocks Middle School.

The win raises the Wreckers’ record to 8-0-0. They host St. Joseph on Friday, then meet Stamford on Tuesday in what should be their toughest match yet. Both contests are at Wakeman Field, kicking off at 4 p.m.

Downes’ 4 goals ties Staples’ single-game scoring mark, shared by at least half a dozen players. Wrecker coaches have always taken off a player after his fourth goal. Liam Witham continued that tradition tonight.

But four consecutive tallies may be a Staples record.

The first came in the 4th minute, continuing the blue-and-whites’ habit of striking early. Alex Saleeb avoided a tackle on the left side, then found Downes in the middle. He took one touch, turned and fired.

Two minutes later, the same pair struck again. Saleeb made a great baseline run; his pass found Downes parked in front of the net.

Saleeb – a senior in his first year in a Wrecker jersey, after playing previously for the MLS Next academy — and Downes, who played MLS Next as a sophomore but returned last fall — have not gotten the attention of teammates like Adrian Rodriguez, Nico Reyna, Noah Rossoni and Lucas Alarcon. But they have been quiet keys to this year’s success.

Defenders Thomas Pretty, Ryan Allen, Peter Nelson and Ciaran Kennedy have not gotten much publicity either. They too have done a masterful job, keeping opponents far from the goal.

Downes earned a true hat trick — 3 straight goals — in the 24th minute. It came after a cutting cross from Rodriguez.

Downes buried a 33rd-minute penalty kick, after being tripped in the box.

Kai Massicott closed out the scoring just before halftime, with a rocket into the upper left corner.

The Wrecker reserves have gotten plenty of time this fall. They kept the quality high throughout the second half, with strong performances from Gus Reyna, Owen Green, Jaden Waldman, Beckham Martino, Arthur Khisyamov and Loewe Epstein, among others. Henry Green banged a shot off the post.

Keeper Zach Delman has had little to do, through 8 matches. He came up big in the first half, punching away a free kick and snagging the rebound.

To their credit, the Bears never gave up. They are a young squad, and lost their 3 top players to academy soccer this year. In the end, they were no match for Staples’ individual and team speed, deft passing, air-tight defense, high soccer IQ, and all-around team play. FINAL SCORE: Staples 5, Norwalk 0. SEASON RECORD: 8-0-0.

QUICK KICKS:The junior varsity shut out Norwalk 3-0. Goals came from Max McDermott, Spencer Hollander and Pranay Kalati. Lucas Klein got a key assist, and Connor Jones turned in a strong performance ….

The freshmen shut out Norwalk 1-0. Jake Fishman scored, assisted by Ben Britten.