Staples vs. Trumbull — Game Report
In the hypercompetitive world of FCIAC soccer, Staples has some teams’ number.
Trumbull has Staples’.
Since 2003, the Wreckers have beaten the Golden Eagles just once (in 2010, 1-0, overtime, FCIAC quarterfinals). Going into today’s match, Staples’ record was just 1 win, 4 losses and 6 ties.
The 1st half did not promise much in the way of scoring, for either side. The Westporters showed the effects of a rare 6-day layoff. Their guests offered little beyond a couple of long balls over the top.
The 2nd half was entirely different.
The home side defense of Andrew Puchala, James Lewis, Kenji Goto and George Kokkalis stepped up well, drawing the Eagles offside on what they thought was a 42nd-minute goal.
The Wreckers had a few free kicks in dangerous areas, but keeper Josh Amrine snagged them well.
In the 48th minute, Jack Scott’s throw was flicked on. It bounced around in the box. A few defenders swiped at it, but could not clear. Andrew Puchala — a defender who had come forward for a previous set piece — found it, took a couple of touches, then bulled himself and the ball forward, almost willing it over the goal line.
Trumbull came right back. Keeper Noah Schwaeber saved twice, punching and tipping tough shots out of danger.
Diego Alanis tackled hard at midfield, then fed Patrick Beusse. His crisp cross was snagged by Amrine.
Schwaeber was called on twice more, and came through terrifically.
Jack Scott contributed excellent work in the corner, but the Eagles got a break with a free kick at the corner of the box. Alberto Aguillon bent a superb left-footed ball into the upper corner, to tie the score. It was on par with the Farmington shot that won them the state championship over Staples 3 years ago.
Yousef Shahin hit Alanis, whose rocket was saved brilliantly by Amrine.
Joe Pravder worked the end line well; Shahin put on some sweet sideline moves, then Amrine denied the Wreckers again after fine work by Pravder and Kokkalis.
Beusse’s pass to Pravder resulted in a shot at Amrine. Schwaeber saved again at the other end. Then it was the blue-and-whites” turn again, this time off a free kick.
But this was a typical Staples-Trumbull game. It ended — as they so often do — as a draw.
And — just like after the 0-0 tie in the 2006 FCIAC championship — the Eagles celebrated.
The Wreckers did not. FINAL SCORE: Staples 1, Trumbull 1. SEASON RECORD: 8-1-2.
QUICK KICKS: Staples led in shots 16-10, and corner kicks 5-2….
NBC Sports EPL analyst Rebecca Lowe — a Westport resident — was at the game. So was Murray Rosenberg, a member of Staples’ 1965 FCIAC championship team. He lives in Southern California, but wanted to see a Staples match on his trip east…
The junior varsity fell 1-0, on a Trumbull free kick. The Wreckers thought they’d tied it with 2 minutes to go on Ben Foster’s goal, but it was ruled offside. Daniel Brill and Jack Zeldes switched off nicely as sweeper and center back; Aidan Wisher had an excellent match, and keeper Ziggy Hallgarten was outstanding …
The Wreckers prevailed over Trumbull, 4-0. Daniel Reid, Sam Kantor, Luca Cocito (penalty kick) and Josh Berman (30-yard rip) all scored 1st-half goals.
Andrew Puchala smacks in a wickedly bouncing ball against Trumbull. (Photo/Kim Lake)
Joe Pravder gets ready to beat 2 Trumbull Eagles. (Photo/Kim Lake)
