Match Report: Staples vs. Trumbull
Some marquee soccer matches don’t live up to their billing.
Some games played in bad weather lead to luck trumping skill.
Neither was the case today at Wakeman Field.
Staples and Trumbull — the #1 and #3 teams in both the FCIAC and state “LL” (extra large school) division, respectively — met, in a steady rain.
In a crackling contest, with both sides’ talent, smarts, speed and tenacity on display, the Wreckers prevailed 1-0.
They did it thanks to Santi Alfageme’s power header, strong midfield and superb defense, and Nick Sikorski’s sure-handed goalkeeping.
The Eagles’ quick-passing game is at least as good as Staples’. They rely on high-scoring attacker Owen Bull, who tore up the league last year and has continued to confound defenses as a senior.
The Westporters have their own prolific scorer, Avery Mueller. He saw little of the ball today, but — as they’ve done all year when they had to — his teammates were there to pick up the slack.
The visitors had the run of play for the first 20 minutes. But the Wreckers settled in, and the match flowed well back and forth. Each side had free kicks from dangerous spots; each squandered those opportunities.
The slick turf created a very quick surface, with the ball skipping quickly. Both sides nonetheless stuck close to the formula that had brought them success: moving the ball, finding feet, probing for seams, going backward to create openings to race ahead.
In the 62nd minute, Staples earned a corner kick. Zach Gorin took a short one, to fellow junior midfielder Elliot Galin. He unleashed a great cross into the center of the box.
Alfageme — the tall center back co-captain, who wears the prestigious #15 in honor of Preston Hirten — outleaped a gaggle of Eagles. He slammed a header home, from short range.
The Wreckers could have sat back, protecting their lead. But they pressed forward, hoping to put the knife in. Mulvey’s rip was saved nicely, while Beeby’s header off a corner kick flew inches high.
They did it without forgetting the first rule of soccer: Defense first. Alfageme and his corps of junior defenders — Zach Beebe, Jack Schwartz and Cormac Mulvey — thwarted most chances by the hard-charging Trumbull side. Adam Syah added another line of defense, as the last midfielder.
Behind them all Sikorski stood tall. The second-year keeper handled nearly every ball cleanly — even low, skipping balls — no easy task on the slick turf.
Gorin and James Corridon commanded midfield too, quietly but effectively.
The Eagles’ best chance came with 4 minutes to play. Sikorski made his best save of the day, but gave up a rebound. The ensuing shot soared over the crossbar.
The blue-and-whites played poised soccer, right to the end.
They earned a big victory, as they passed the 3/4 mark of the regular season. Just 3 matches remain. The first of those is Tuesday, at home against Danbury. Kickoff is 4 p.m., at Wakeman. FINAL SCORE: Staples 1, Trumbull 0. SEASON RECORD: 10-1-2.
QUICK KICKS: Players and parents celebrated Senior Day, following the match. A dozen seniors were honored with photos and other gifts: Santi Alfageme, Lucas Carpi, James Corridon, Grey Epstein, Luca Escalarte, Aldo Lopez, Archie Lynch, Avery Mueller, Eli Rosenkranz, Nick Sikorski, Adam Syah and Chase Watkins, Manager Felix Haug is also a senior ….
Ben Douglas and Hunter Smith — 2 of last year’s tri-captains — were at the match ….
The junior varsity also won 1-0. After a very even opening 20 minutes, Staples took over the very physical match. Luca Caniato’s left-footed strike from 25 yards out, off the underside of the crossbar, provided the offense; then the defense took over to secure the result. Gabe Duque was a force; Spencer Girling was a true sweeper, and Ford Epstein got the clean sheet in goal (including a slide tackle at the top of the box on a breakaway)….
The freshmen stunned Trumbull 6-0. Max Hill scored first after beating 2 defenders, laying off, then closing on the rebound. Noah Rossoni’s soaring free kick from midfield was 1-timed home by Adrian Rodriguez, with the ball never touching the ground. Hill tallied twice more; Rossoni added another, and Jack D’Amore — the keeper — got the final goal, after a beautiful assist from Ayush Rudra. Thomas Pretty stood strong against a fast Trumbull front line, while Arthur Khisyamov and Lucas Alrcon-Frias owned the sides.
Jack Schwartz wins a header.
Santi Alfageme (15) heads on goal …
… and prepares to celebrate, as the ball goes in the net.
Keeper Nick Sikorski punches a free kick clear.
Adam Syah has been a very steady defensive midfielder.
Emmett Nivaud with a well-timed tackle against Trumbull.
Senior Day celebration. Front row (from left: Chase Watkins, Archie Lynch, Eli Rosenkranz, James Corridon, Grey Epstein. Rear: assistant coach Harry Ocampo, Avery Mueller, Santi Alfageme, Lucas Carpi, Aldo Lopez, Nick Sikorski, Luca Escalarte, Adam Syah, manager Felix Haug, head coach Russell Oost-Lievense.
Russell Oost-Lievense (left) with 2023 tri-captains Hunter Smith and Ben Douglas.
Laura Blair, with her senior cupcakes. (All photos/Mark Sikorski)
