Match Report: Staples vs. Wilton
Three days after an epic 3-3 draw at Fairfield Warde, the Wreckers’ mission was clear:
Build on the well-played, hard-pressing 2nd half. Avoid the abysmal, chaotic 1st.
Mission accomplished.
Staples treated a large Saturday crowd at sunny Loeffler Field to a strong start. Pushing forward, they put the Warriors under an early gun.
The Wreckers also stretched wide. The right side saw much of the early play, with outside back Nick Ambrose and midfielder Will Birch combining to send Sam Liles into the corner.
That paid dividends just 5 minutes in. Birch overlapped toward Jinny Parker Field, then laced a ball into the box. Anton Mahr never hesitated. His side volley was one of the nicest goals Staples has produced in quite a while.
Birch followed with another excellent run and cross. Then, in the 8th minute, he fired himself. The keeper bobbled the hard shot. Mahr — who has made a name this year with his alert follow-ups — was right there to bang it home.
Mahr and Timmy Liles took the lead in switching balls into corners. They teamed well with central midfielders Matt Engler and Patricio Perez Elorza, who laid off with deft confidence.
Staples made it 3-0 less than 2 minutes before halftime. Timmy Liles’ cross was toe-poked goalward by Azam Plummer. The keeper saved it off the post, but Steven Frost finished with power — and with his lesser-used right foot.
Remembering that Warde surrendered a seemingly solid 3-goal lead 3 days earlier, the Wreckers did not let up. Just 57 seconds elapsed before Ambrose fed Birch. He turned the corner, then slotted a pass into the box. Sam Liles converted easily, for a now-insurmountable 4-0 lead.
The defense of Ambrose, Chris Martenson, Callum Wisher and Ryan Fincher — augmented by Gabe Baltierra, Brendan Lynch and Jake Didner — had little to do for long stretches. Keeper Ry Cohen kept a clean sheet for 65 minutes; sophomore Matt Epstein — making his 1st-ever varsity appearance — ensured the shutout.
Coming 3 days after the Warde battle, this was an important win for Staples. Now they prepare for a tougher test — Trumbull — Tuesday night, away. FINAL SCORE: Staples 4, Wilton 0. SEASON RECORD: 2-0-2.
QUICK KICKS: Staples outshot Wilton 12-1 ….
The reserves jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead at Loeffler Field against Wilton. Nick DiMasi assisted Mauricio Inglada’s early strike; Lefty Penderakis powered through for the 2nd goal; then Jake D’Amico scored twice — the 2nd on a long looping shot off an Emerson Anvari feed — sandwiched around Andrew Marshall’s goal. Rob Diorio, Andris Perri and Benny Feuer tallied in the 2nd half, for an 8-0 final….
The freshmen shut out Wilton 3-0, with goals by Ben LaFontan, Alan Fiore and Surya Balaji. Konur Nordberg added an assist. Coach Russell Oost-Lievense praised defensive midfielders Balaji and Graham Barnes; the technical defense of Haran Eiger, and the work of defenders Jack Douglas and Mike Bond.
Will Birch works the right side against Wilton. (Photo/Alan Frost)
It takes a team to move the ball upfield against Wilton. From left: Azam Plummer, Patricio Perez Elorza, Ryan Fincher, Chris Martenson, Anton Mahr. (Photo/Alan Frost)
Anton Mahr and referee Jesus Zornoza have a chat. (Photo/Alan Frost)
The Wreckers cool down after Wilton. (Photo/Alan Frost)
