Staples vs. Fairfield Warde (Game Report)

Last year, Jack Scott’s 4th-minute strike paved the way for a 4-1 victory against Fairfield Warde.

This year, it took even less time — just 35 seconds for the Wreckers to find the net. The Mustangs kicked off, and went backward. Staples pounced. Daniel Perez Elorza took a corner kick. Patrick Beusse headed it on. Gabe Pensak — up from his defensive position — turned it back across the goalmouth, and in.

The early lead galvanized the blue-and-whites. Pensak’s long throws came close to 3 more goals, 2 on Josh Berman headers. Michael Reid made a daring run, just missing off feeds from Perez and Jack Zeldes. And only a great save on a laser by Beusse 30 seconds before intermission kept the scoreline close.

But the Wreckers were not satisfied at halftime. Their marking was not tight enough, and they were not playing enough balls to feet.

Five minutes into the 2nd half, after strong pressure from Argosh, Perez laced another corner. This time Berman headed on, and Argosh rocketed it home.

Jerrett Rende came on to lend stability and brains at midfield. With the Wreckers pressing in the 60th minute, Reid threw some highlight reel moves on in the right side of the box. After deking past 3 defenders, he delivered a slot across the goalmouth. Denzel Robinson was in perfect position to slam in the 1st goal of his varsity career.

Keeper Noah Schwaeber came up with 2 huge saves, helping Staples regain the momentum. Daniel Reid ripped a nice shot, and 30 seconds later — 10 minutes from time — Daniel Brill came up with the season’s golazo. It was a lefty blast from 30 yards, into the upper left corner. Like Robinson’s, this was Brill’s 1st varsity goal.

All 23 field players, plus keeper Brenden Price, contributed to the victory. It was a huge one, as Warde stood above Staples in the FCIAC playoff race. The victory edges the Wreckers closer to a post-season berth.

But the Westporters need 2 more wins to secure it. The 1st chance comes less than 24 hours after this, when they travel to Brien McMahon (4 p.m.) for a twice-postponed match. The very next day (Wednesday, 4 p.m.) they host Harding.

It’s a whirlwind 3 days. And it is also, said head coach Dan Woog, “what Staples soccer is all about.” FINAL SCORE: Staples 4, Fairfield Warde 0. SEASON RECORD: 7-5-2.

QUICK KICKS: Staples outshot the Mustangs 13-6, and led in corner kicks 5-2….

Three members of the 1970 state championship team were at the match: co-captain Steve Baumann, Neil Brickley and Mark McGuire…

This was the 1st time Staples played Warde on Tetreau Field — the turf football stadium. The Mustangs get 1 match per year there, and chose tonight’s Senior Night for that date…

For Week 6 highlight video (Part 2), click here…

Down 2-0 after 12 minutes, the junior varsity battled back. Rory Steele scored on a long range shot, just under the bar. Teddy Lawrence nailed the 2nd, on a tight angle off a great combination with Stephen Rowland. The Mustangs then got an own goal, and a rebound after an excellent save by Thomas Heisler. The Wreckers played well, but Warde got a late score. Lawrence, Rowland, Danny Jersey and Nick Benjamin stood out for Staples, which ends the year 3-4-6….

The freshmen of Chris O’Dell and Julien Delepine shut out Fairfield Warde 9-0, to finish 8-2-0. Chris Andrews scored first, followed by 3 from Tyler Wright, 2 from Jonathan Kaner and 3 from Alex Piccolino. Congrats to both the jayvees and frosh — the future of Staples soccer!