Staples vs. Fairfield Ludlowe – Match Report
Before 2012, no Staples boys soccer team had ever lost to Fairfield Ludlowe. In fact, the Wreckers’ 38-0-0 mark included 30 wins from 1958-85, when the school was known as Roger Ludlowe.
Since 2012 though, no Staples boys soccer team had ever beaten Ludlowe. The Falcons were 3-0, all by 1-goal margins. Last year’s 2-1 defeat at Taft Field was particularly devastating for the Wreckers.
The rivalry has developed into a great one. It’s based on mutual respect, proximity, and similar styles of play.
Staples anticipated this year’s match for a long time. Fairfield Ludlowe is defending FCIAC champs. They field 18 seniors, 9 of them starters. The blue-and-whites were ready for a big one, in front of a huge home crowd on The Hill.
But soccer is all about flexibility. A day-long rain forced the game to a new venue: the Wakeman turf. Staples was 3-0 there — the only previous contests coming against Norwalk, Darien and Trinity Catholic — but there is no scoreboard or clock.
The rain kept all but the heartiest fans away. Yet what the game lacked in fan electricity, was more than made up for in excitement and hard play.
Neither the wet turf nor the wind did detracted from the game’s appeal.
The 1st half was evenly played. Ludlowe is quick and talented, but Staples matched them in intensity, and speed going forward. Defenders Kenji Goto, Josh Berman, Teddy Lawrence and Matteo Broccolo caught the Falcons offside several times, while keeper Noah Schwaeber handled the wet ball with sure hands and solid positioning.
The hosts suffered a blow midway through the half, when center midfielder Daniel Reid — the team’s brain — suffered a foot injury. He sat out the rest of the match. Daniel Brill came on, filling in admirably.
The scoreless deadlock was broken 2 minutes before halftime. Graham Gudis took a free kick from the right side, 30 yards out. Lawrence got their first, redirecting it with his head into the back of the net. It was his 1st-ever varsity goal.
Click here to see the goal!
At halftime, the confident Stapleites talked about tightening up defensively. They did just that, and limited the guests mostly to long shots in the 2nd half.
A Gudis free kick was bobbled in the 45th minute, though no one was there.
In the 50th minute Berman cleared Ludlowe’s best shot off the line.
In the 70th minute, Daniel Perez Elorza — back for the 1st match after missing 2 with a groin injury — roared down the left side. He sprang Spencer Daniels. The junior — who earlier this week had a hat trick at Westhill — converted the easy tap-in, for a 2-0 lead.
Staples was not finished. Four minutes from time, Perez Elorza alertly blocked a Ludlowe clearance. This time, Tyler Wright was there to convert, for the sophomore’s 1st varsity gaol.
The Wreckers managed the clock to the end. And they managed — no, earned — their biggest win of the regular season, which today reached its halfway point.
“It’s certainly a satisfying win,” said head coach, who credited assistants Kurt Dasbach and Tom Henske for crafting a superb game plan. “But we sure don’t want this to be the highlight of our season. We want it to be the springboard for bigger and even more exciting things to come.” He paused. “I have to admit though, this is pretty high on the excitement scale.” FINAL SCORE: Staples 3, Fairfield Ludlowe 0. SEASON RECORD: 6-1-1.
QUICK KICKS: Staples used all 20 field players in the match….
Liam Bohonnon ’08 was at today’s game…
The Wreckers have 2 more home games next week: Tuesday versus Norwalk, and Thursday against Darien. Both are at Loeffler Field, with 4 p.m. starts.
Daniel Perez Elorza returned to action after an injury in a big way, with 2 assists. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
Timmy Liles is a crowd favorite. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
Spencer Daniels and Teddy Lawrence may not look it here, but they actually know what they’re doing. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
