Staples vs. St. Joseph — Game Report (Photos Added)
A tough pre-season scheduled was not all that tested the Staples boys soccer team. Injuries prevented the Wreckers from fielding their full squad until the final event, last Saturday’s jamboree at Wethersfield.
But the blue-and-whites had their starting 11 on Loeffler Field today, when St. Joseph inaugurated the 16-match FCIAC season.
Staples pressed early and hard. Denzel Robinson and Daniel Perez Elorza set the pace up top, pouncing on balls pushed on and sprayed through by Michael Reid and Patrick Beusse. With Nate Argosh and Graham Gudis stretching the field, the Wreckers took advantage of room to attack.
They got players into the box with more numbers than they’ve shown at this point in the season, in previous years. Argosh almost connected early; Beusse had a nice chance from Argosh that led to a corner kick.
In the 19th minute, Argosh megged his defender. He roared forward and fed Reid, whose quick turn found Beusse with a seeing-eye through ball. The midfielder raced ahead, finishing calmly and strongly.
The defensive corps of Andrew Puchala, Kenji Goto, Gabe Pensak and Spencer Daniels held the Cadets at bay. Pensak created havoc, combining smart runs forward with killer passes.
One second before halftime the Wreckers nearly doubled their lead.
They got that 2nd tally just 6 minutes after intermission, after a locked-down throw-in. Puchala laced a long ball to Pensak, far out on the right side. He took one touch, then powered a shot that caromed off the inside of the near post. Reid alertly followed up, firing in the rebound first-time for one of the sweetest bang-bang goals ever seen at Loeffler Field.
Staples did not manage the game well in the final 20 minutes, when St. Joseph applied their most pressure. But there were several electric offensive moments, as when Josh Berman’s header was cleared off the line.
And — just like the 1st half — the Westporters made a bid for a goal in the waning seconds. Pensak’s shot did not strike gold — but for much of the day, he and his team shined.
“It was a good 1st outing,” said head coach Dan Woog. “We have plenty to work on — keeping the ball on the ground, playing to feet, game management, other stuff — but this was a decent way to start things off.”
The Wreckers return to action Thursday. Wilton comes to town for a 4:30 p.m. start. It’s a rematch of last year’s FCIAC quarterfinalists. The Warriors won that contest, 2-0.
QUICK KICKS: Staples’ starting lineup included 6 seniors (Robinson, Argosh, Beusse, Reid, Puchala and Pensak); 4 juniors (Perez Elorza, Gudis, Goto and Schwaeber) and 1 sophomore (Daniels). Also seeing action were senior Matt Bateman; juniors Aidan Wisher and Jack Zeldes, and sophomores Berman, Sebastian Wick, Luca Cocito and Daniel Reid….
The Wreckers outshot the Cadets 16-7, and led in corner kicks 10-1….
Jeff Lea, Staples’ coach from 1978-2002, was on The Hill….
The start time of the October 20 match at Fairifeld Warde has been changed from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m….
The junior varsity of coaches Seth Sholes and Brad Green opened with a 5-0 whitewashing of St. Joseph. Greg Preiser headed in Rory Steele’s corner kick. Teddy Lawrence scored on a long range shot, assisted by Rees Chang. Max Hammer nailed the next 2, both on rebounds. Stephen Rowland got the final goal, also off a rbeound. Shane Fries and Daniel Jersey had strong games on defense; Matteo Broccolo controlled midfield well; Kason Kreis and Griff O’Neill went forward excellently, and Thomas Heisler got the shutout in goal.
Patrick Beusse celebrates the 1st goal of the season vs. St. Joseph with Spencer Daniels and Gabe Pensak. Fellow captain Andrew Puchala rushes over to join the festivities. (Photo/Kim Lake)
Kenji Goto gets air against a Cadet. (Photo/Kim Lake)
A long throw is one of the many arrows in Gabe Pensak’s quiver. (Photo/Kim Lake)
Rory Steele looks intent during the JV match with St. Joseph. (Photo/Dick D’Addario)
