Wreckers Announce “Most Challenging Pre-Season Schedule Ever”
The Staples boys soccer program has finalized its pre-season scrimmage schedule. According to head coach Dan Woog, it is “the most challenging pre-season we’ve ever had.”
Tryouts begin on Saturday, August 23. Four days later (Wednesday, August 27), the Wreckers host always-tough Fairfield Prep.
On Friday, August 29, there’s a 1st-ever meeting with South Kent — defending New England prep school champions. “Their coach (Owen Finberg) and I have tried to schedule this for a couple of years,” Woog said. “We’re glad we could finally make this work. South Kent is always one of the top teams in New England, and a very classy program.” The site has not yet been determined.
Sunday, August 31 brings another historic event: a scrimmage against New York City’s Martin Luther King High School. The Knights won the city championship the past 2 years — and 14 of the last 17 — and are a perennial national Top 10 team. The match will be played at Loeffler Field, with a cookout for both teams to follow. “I have know Coach Martin Jacobson for many years,” Woog said. “I respect their program greatly. We are very excited to be able to play them.”
On Wednesday, September 3, Staples resumes its pre-season matchup with Choate (site to be determined). The 2 teams split their 1st 2 contests. “John (Chiavaroli) always puts a great team on the field. We love testing ourselves against Choate,” Woog said.
The final pre-season event is the annual Wethersfield jamboree (Saturday, September 9, 10 a.m.), honoring players from WHS and Staples killed on 9/11. The 3-game format is looked forward to every year by Staples players — as is the meal that follows. Woog called the Wethersfield jamboree “one of the highlights of our year.”
Referring to the 5 pre-season events, Woog said, “If you want to be the best, you have to prepare the best. The regular season is so tough, and our goals — FCIAC and state championships — are so high. The only way to get there is with a pre-season like this. Our guys know they have to be ready — fit and having played plenty of soccer — on Day 1 of tryouts. I have full confidence that our captains and other seniors will make sure they’re prepared.”
Rapper Drake joined Martin Luther King HS players last fall for a video shoot. The Wreckers host the Knights on Sunday, August 31.
