Wreckers Rout St. Joseph
Homecoming, brilliant fall weather and a pre-game speech from principal Stafford Thomas sparked Staples to their best start-to-finish match of the season this afternoon, at Wakeman Field.
With the hosts pressing from the start, Zach Beebe fed Ethan Cukier in the opening minute. His shot banged off the St. Joseph goalpost.
Three shots were blocked by the 2-9-0 Cadets. Ben Douglas’ header was cleared off the line; another header was deflected out, leading to a third straight corner kick. That was all in the opening 7 minutes.
Communicating well, spreading the field and playing quick possession soccer, the Wreckers got on the board in the 8th minute — on a solo effort Avery Mueller picked up a loose ball 60 yards from goal. He zipped through the St. Joe’s midfield, and rounded a final defender, who knocked him slightly off balance. Mueller kept his balance, drew the keeper out, then calmly finished.
Four minutes later, it was Mueller again, off a Matt Shackelford corner kick.
Mueller — playing his best game in a Staples jersey, on both sides of the ball — assisted on goal #3. He drove into the corner, then delivered a sweet cross. Fellow junior Dylan Hoke scordd with authority.
A 30th minute corner kick from Zach Gorin was knocked along by Santi Alfageme. It deflected onto the foot of Jonny Costello, for his second goal in 2 games.
Three minutes after intermission, Hunter Smith attacked out of the back. He laced a ball across to Costello. The sophomore’s tough-angle shot found net, for his second goal in 13 minutes.
Playing intelligent soccer all over the field, Staples continued to dominate. They scored again in the 70th minute, Gorin assisting Sam Rossini for his fellow 10th grader’s first-ever varsity goal.
The win lifts the Wreckers’ record to 6-6-1. It gives them confidence and momentum too, heading into Monday’s 6:30 p.m. clash at Norwalk’s Testa Field. The Bears are 10-0-3. FINAL SCORE: STAPLES 6, St. Joseph 0. SEASON RECCORD: 6-6-1.
QUICK KICKS: Though St. Joseph was scheduled to send a reserve team to play the Wreckers, the Cadets never appeared.
Luca Escalarte controls in a crowd. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)
Sam Rossoni slides in his first varsity goal. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)
Elliot Galin on the move. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)
