Staples vs. New Canaan (Game Report)
After a promising start — 2 quick corner kicks involving Aidan Wisher — the Wreckers were stunned 5 minutes in. The Rams played a ball over the top. It looked like a routine play, but got dropped into the net for a goal.
Staples had a couple of chances off corners — particularly in the 10th minute, when a New Canaan defender cleared a nearly-certain goal — but the Rams were tough too. The Wreckers dodged a bullet in the 39th minute.
Patrick Beusse almost finished a Daniel Perez rebound in the 43rd minute, and Staples was a much different 2nd half team. A 50th-minute Graham Gudis free kick dropped into the box, where Nate Argosh rammed it home.
Keeper Ziggy Hallgarten made 2 key saves, though much of the play was dictated by the hosts. Still, they could not sustain their possession game entirely, and were vulnerable to counters.
Denzel Robinson’s shot from Daniel Reid’s feed was saved. That was the blue-and-whites’ best chance, except for a free kick that sailed just wide, after Beusse was fouled.
Hallgarten’s save over the top, on a twisting ball with 6 minutes to play, was his best of the match. The Rams kept Staples honest in the final minutes, resulting in a very unsatisfying draw after 2 superb Hallgarten saves.
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole,” said head coach Dan Woog. “But I have absolute faith in our guys. They are fully capable of scrambling out of it too. We’ll tighten up defensively, continue to knock it around, and when we keep the ball on the ground, the results will definitely show.” FINAL SCORE: Staples 1, New Canaan 1. SEASON RECORD: 3-2-2.
QUICK KICKS: The Rams trained for the past couple of days on how to break down Staples’ backs, anchored by Andrew Puchala. However, the injured central defender — named Ruden Report Player of the Week for his 3-goal performance against Ridgefield — did not play….
The junior varsity drew 1-1. Staples’ goal came off a counter, 10 minutes into the 2nd half. Matt Chernok won the ball in midfield, and found Teddy Lawrence who played it on to goal-scorer Luka Autard. New Canaan equalized off an unmarked, close-in header with 15 minutes left. In the final minutes Danny Jersey’s header hit the crossbar, off a short corner from Liam Borner to Rory Steele. Greg Preiser, Matteo Broccolo and Kenny Brill had particularly good matches….
The freshmen shut out New Canaan 4-0. Tyler Wright scored twice; Will Birch got one, and then Matt Engler headed in Birch’s free kick. Keepers Ethan Brodows, Christian Myers, Luke Press and Matt Bidgood combined for the shutout, while Anton Mahr controlled midfield….
Last week, the frosh beat Norwalk 2-1. Birch knocked in a penalty kick; the Ian Weiler followed up a rebound. Alex Piccolino, Jake Didner, Chris Martenson and Jesse Haymes provided strong defensive efforts, while Weiler sparked the offense…
Dave Harrison — former Staples soccer timekeeper, longtime social studies teacher and father of Justin Harrison ’91, a Middlebury College star — was at today’s match. He lives in New Hampshire, and works with Grassroot Soccer.
Nate Argosh controls well through a host of New Canaan Rams. (Photo/Kim Lake)
Grant Sirlin returned to action after a broken nose, and looked strong against the Rams. (Photo/Kim Lake)
Ziggy Hallgarten had several key saves, including this tip over the top. (Photo/Kim Lake)
