Match Report: Staples vs. Stamford

Back in the day, Stamford High’s field behind Boyle Stadium was small, rocky and grass.

It’s still small — particularly narrow. It’s now turf. But it’s slippery. Players from both teams had a hard time keeping their footing this afternoon.

That did not stop the Wreckers from striking early. Just 1:16 had elapsed when Matthew Jordan’s cross was headed home by Will Adams. It was his 2nd goal in 2 games — and the first 2 of his varsity career.

The visitors nearly went up by 2, on a Jackson Hochhauser to Reese Watkins to Jaden Mueller combination. But an excellent stop by keeper Cristian Vitti – the first of several this afternoon — saved the Knights.

In the 14th minute, it was 2-0. Adams fed Murilo Moreno, who fought hard to keep control under pressure. He fired from a tough angle on the far right side — and connected to the far side net.

The hosts were not going down easily. Strong goal line defense by Hochhauser, Bruno Guiduli, Jack Foster and Hunter Smith stopped one bang-bang attempt; keeper Jacob Greenberger saved once over the top, again on a corner kick.

Marius Ekeberg to Moreno nearly connected again. Another Westport corner was again halted by what seemed like a force field in front of the Stamford net.

Suddenly, it was a close game. The Knights’ Santi Alacantara connected on a long shot, halving the lead.

The blue-and-whites — who this season have been a 2nd-half team — seized control back after intermission. A superb individual effort by Caleb Tobias at the edge of the box led to a Watkins shot, a corner kick, and then a rip by Hochhauser.

A 59th-minute steal by Mueller turned the tide for good. He cruised goalward and fired. The ball — already going in — was deflected over the line by a defender.

Staples survived a scary moment 7 minutes from time. Then — with just over a minute to play — Matt Shackelford and Mueller set up Watkins, for the insurance tally. It was his 6th goal in 3 games.

The match was not pretty. Most games at the tight Stamford field are not. But the Wreckers scored very early, very late, and in between. They picked up 3 more points. And as soon as the buzzer blew, they got ready for another game — 48 hours later — at Central. Kickoff is 4 p.m. FINAL SCORE: Staples 4, Stamford 1. SEASON RECORD: 6-1-3.

QUICK KICKS: The FCIAC race is very tight. Norwalk stands on top with a record of 7-1-2 (23 points). There is a 4-way tie for 2nd, with a quartet of teams all 6-1-3: Staples, Greenwich, Darien and Ridgefield. The Wreckers tied the Cardinals 0-0, lost to the Blue Wave 2-1, and beat the Tigers 5-0….

Today’s match was originally scheduled for Saturday. It was postponed at Stamford’s request: Saturday was head coach Mike Summa’s wedding day ….

The reserves won 1-0 against Stamford. Ethan Cukier scored again, a 25-yard shot top corner. Keeper Steve Divino made several key saves ….

The freshmen powered past New Canaan 5-1. Goals came from Jonny Costello, Sebi Cruz, Emmett Nivaud, and Andre Albanese (2). Assists were recorded by Nivaud, Zach Gorin, Ryan Sunjka, Elliot Galin and Perrin Root.