Match Report: Staples vs. Norwalk

One way to judge a soccer team is by the final score.

Another way to judge them is by what they do after a score does not go their way.

Tonight, Staples put last Friday’s 1-0 loss to Brien McMahon behind them.

Decisively.

The Wreckers powered in 4 first half goals against Norwalk. They had several second-half chances, but were not threatened en route to their 4-0 win.

The match — played at West Rocks Middle School, while the new Norwalk High is being constructed on the Bears’ former Testa Field — was over not long after it began.

Sixteen minutes in, Zach Gorin played a ball from the left side to Jonny Costello. He found Adrian Rodriguez, where the sophomore — making his first varsity start ever — touched it home.

Fourteen minutes later, Josh Whitaker laid off to to Perrin Root. He smoothly tucked the pass away, for his first varsity goal.

Just 4 minutes after coming on for the first time this season, following an injury, Emmett Nivaud pounced on a loose ball. His no-doubt-about-it volley showed what the veteran senior’s presence on the field will mean going forward.

With 5 minutes left in the half, Whitaker’s cross was deflected to Will Murray. He cleaned it up, depositing it in the back corner for a clear 4-0 edge.

Christian Rinaldi, making his first start in goal, came up big whenever he was tested. As usual, Cormac Mulvey and Jack Schwartz led the defense.

Dylan Shackelford and Alex Kuster came in, and kept the win-the-ball-at-all-costs mentality high.

Aaron Varsov filled in at midfield nicely, keeping the midfield balance.

Meanwhile, Root and Murray kept the midfield working well, to create chances.

Staples showed they can put a loss in the rear view mirror. A much bigger test looms Thursday though. The Wreckers host Stamford — one of the FCIAC’s pre-season favorites — on the Wakeman turf. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. FINAL SCORE: Staples 4, Norwalk 0. SEASON RECORD: 2-1-0.

QUICK KICKS: Besides Rinaldi and Rodriguez, Drew Hill also made his first varsity start tonight ….

Coach Elisee Joseph’s junior varsity cruised to a 5-0 shutout over Norwalk. Goals came from Ford Epstein, Sam DiGiovanni, Arthur Khisyamov, Peter Nelson and Cillian Morris. Ryan Allen, Thomas Pretty and Chase Cammeyer turned in strong defensive efforts, while Emmett Zahler and Adriano Carpi looked strong at midfield ….

Coach Chris O’Dell’s freshmen made it 3 shutouts for the Wreckers on the day, with a 2-0 whitewashing of Norwalk. Bilal Diagne finished a cross from Deron Ieon, and Sebastian Elizondo fired a bullet into the right corner. O’Dell cited Spencer Cammeyer for his strong work in back, and Ciaran Kennedy, Alessandro Montresoro and Liam Shaw for their work in the middle.