Match Result: Staples vs. Westhill [UPDATED WITH PHOTOS]
Wind, rain and a slick surface posed more of a challenge than Westhill for the Staples boys soccer team this afternoon, at J. Walter Kennedy Stadium in Stamford.
The Wreckers easily handled the outmanned Vikings. With only 15 players on the field and sidelines, they were no match for the surging Stapleites. The visitors lifted their record to 13-2-0, with only one regular season game remaining (Thursday vs. Ridgefield, 4 p.m. at Wakeman Field). Staples will finish second in the league, behind Greenwich (victors by 4-3 over the Westporters earlier this season), and be home for the quarterfinals of the FCIAC tournament. Post-season play begin next Monday.
Adrian Rodriguez’s true hat trick — 3 straight goals — and the first-ever varsity goals for a trio of players were highlights of the wet afternoon.
The opening goal came in the 10th minute. Gabe Duque picked up a loose ball, and blasted it into the side netting. It was the 5th tally in 3 matches — and the 5th straight match for a goal or assist — by the wide-ranging, quick and sure-footed quad-captain.
Rodriguez then began his string of scores with a leaping header off the underside of the crossbar, from Noah Rossoni’s curving corner kick.
Four minutes later, Spencer Girling sliced a perfect ball out of the back. The junior finished with another header.
A minute later it was a third head ball, this one off a smooth touch from Brendan Allen.
The scoring parade continued in the second half. Jaden Waldman, Thomas Pretty and Eli Zev all notched the first goals of their varsity careers.
Ridgefield should provide a sterner test, and a good tune-up for the FCIAC tourney. The Tigers were 9-4-1, in solid 4th place, heading into yesterday’s match against New Canaan. FINAL SCORE: Staples 7, Westhill 1. FCIAC RECORD: 12-2-0. OVERALL RECORD: 13-2-0.
QUICK KICKS: Alums Santi Alfageme, Zach Beebe and Cormac Mulvey were at the game ….
Westhill — not long ago an FCIAC powerhouse — has a new coach this fall. Longtime coach Joe Andrews stepped down at the end of last year….
The junior varsity downed Westhill 2-0. Andrew Xu and Mateo Riero scored. Seb Elizondo earned an assist …
The freshmen topped Westhill 4-2. Max McDermott continued his scoring streak, with 2 goals; Tomas Gubitz and Pranay Kalati added 1 each.
Emmett Zahler
Thomas Pretty scores with a header. Chase Cammeyer (22) is in on the action too. (Photos/Michael Cammeyer)
