Staples vs. Westhill – Match Report

The Staples boys soccer team has lived close to the edge. Last week, they needed a goal in the final 3 minutes to tie Greenwich — then 3 in the last 7:39 to earn a come-from-behind victory over St. Joseph.

They wanted today to be different.

It was.

The Wreckers have had some legendary contests at Westhill. Recently, they’ve been on the front turf field. Before that, it was in the football stadium.

Today, the Vikings hosted Staples in the stadium. Westhill rarely plays there. It’s narrow, and there are dozens of lines for all kinds of sports.

No matter. Just 5 minutes into the match, Aidan Wisher found Tyler Wright on the right side. The sophomore hit Spencer Daniels with a training-video slot. The junior had an open goal, and he finished cleanly.

Two minutes later, Daniel Reid sent Wisher through. That did not connect — but 3 minutes after that, a solid Staples defensive block opened space for Wisher to roar through on the left. He found Daniels, who slammed home his 2nd goal of the game — and his year.

In the 29th minute — shortly after a Timmy Liles blast — there was chaos in the Westhill box. Matt Engler was fouled for a penalty kick. Daniel Brill stepped up, and blasted the ball in for a 3-0 lead.

The Wreckers substituted liberally, mindful of another match Wednesday (at Brien McMahon, 7 p.m.), then a 3rd game on Friday (home vs. Fairfield Ludlowe, 4 p.m.). There was no letup in their quick passing, ball control game. Luca Cocito, Sam Kantor and Stephen Rowland all applied strong pressure up top.

Defenders Kenji Goto, Josh Berman, Teddy lawrence, Grant Sirlin, Andres Marmelo, Matteo Broccolo and Chris Martenson all contributed to the clean sheet, while Graham Gudis had another fine game at midfield.

The final goal came 6:30 from time. Brill fed Daniels, for the hat trick.

“Our guys worked from start to finish,” said head coach Dan Woog. “They took the game to Westhill, and never looked back. This was a complete performance, but we’ve already put it in the rear view mirror. We all know we need another match like this 48 hours from now.” FINAL SCORE: Staples 4, Westhill 0. Season record: 4-1-1.

QUICK KICKS: Noah Schwaeber, Ziggy Hallgarten and Brenden Price combined for the shutout. They made a combined 4 saves. It was the 1st time the 3 keepers have all appeared in the same game….

Staples outshot Westhill 16-4….

This was the Wreckers’ 1st win over Westhill in 3 years — and 1st goal against them since 2012. The previous 2 seasons saw 2-0 losses….

Graham Gudis has been named Blue Streak-Ruden Report Male Player of the Week — in all sports — for his 2-goal performance last week against St. Joseph….

Co-captain Kenji Goto has been elected MC for Friday’s Homecoming pep rally….

The reserves won 1-0 at Westhill, in a game shortened by darkness. Anton Mahr scored the game-winner, from Kason Kreis. Coach Nicky Hoberman called it his team’s best match of the year. He cited Will Birch, Kenny Brill and Danny Jersey for the particularly solid play…

The freshmen shut out Westhill 3-0. Azam Plummer chipped the keeper twice — once off a beautiful feed from Chet Ellis — while Gabe Baltierra netted the 3rd. Josh Zhang stood out defensively. On Saturday, the frosh suffered their 1st loss of the year: 2-0 at Greenwich.