The Staples soccer boys car wash will not look like this.
The Staples boys soccer program’s annual car wash is this Saturday (Oct. 3), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Saugatuck Congregational Church, on the Post Road near Myrtle Avenue in downtown Westport.
Varsity, junior varsity and freshman players will clean all cars to an (almost) factory-produced shine. Proceeds help fund many ongoing team activities, including the banquet. There is no minimum price; please stop by, and donate generously!
Posted in General news
The Falcons entered today’s match with the same claim as the Wreckers: undefeated. Staples’ 3-0-2 neighbors to the east had an excellent start to the season, against a rougher schedule than the Westporters.
Loeffler Field was almost unfamiliar to the Wreckers. Though almost October, this marked only the 2nd home match of the year — after a 4-game road trip. No matter. Staples did what they’ve done in all but 1 game so far: score near the 10-minute mark. The play began with defender Frankie Bergonzi — starting his 1st game all fall, following a broken toe — hitting Mike White wide. The tricky forward turned inside, out, then back inside before slotting a straight-out-of-”shoot-the-moon”-training ball to Greg Gudis. The junior, parked in front of the goal, tucked it neatly home.
The Falcons threatened, in large part because Staples gave them more room than usual. But the Wreckers also went forward often. A nifty goal off Mike Scott’s throw was called back in the 23rd minute. Four minutes after that Bergonzi made a fine run forward, before missing narrowly.
Ludlowe keeper Luke Clifford superbly stopped Scott’s shot. Six minutes later Clifford nailed another fine save, this off a header following Andrew McNair’s free kick. The goaltender saved again brilliantly, 10 seconds before halftime.
At intermission the Wreckers talked about the need for stronger voices, and less hesitancy. The message sank in, as just 1 minute after play resumed Alan Reiter smacked a long free kick off the post. Brendan Lesch’s follow-up flew wide by inches.
In the 49th minute Lesch won a header. White settled Lesch’s feed, then laced a cross to Gudis. Gudis chested it forward, took a touch and poked his shot home for his 2nd tally.
McNair followed with another well-struck direct kick. Lesch framed the goal; no one touched it, and it sailed in for a well-earned 3-0 lead.
One minute after that Hennessy hit White. He sent Scott in on goal with a ball over the top. It did not go in — nor did Lesch’s shot, from Jake Krosse — but in the 59th minute Reiter’s smoothly struck low blast made it 4-zip.
Krosse, Justin Hawrysh, Nate Greenberg, Dylan Evans and Jake Malowitz led the Wreckers through the final 20 minutes, when Staples assumed full control. Final score: Staples 4, Fairfield Ludlowe 0. Season record: 6-0-0.
QUICK KICKS: Staples outshot Ludlowe 19-3, and led in corner kicks 7-5….
The junior varsity shut out Fairfield Ludlowe 5-0. Spencer Burns, Terence Gibbons, Jay Kaplan, Max Hoberman and Steve Smith all scored, the latter on a patented free kick. Matthew Silver played well for coach Ross McGibney’s side….
The freshmen edged Fairfield Ludlowe 2-1, in their toughest match of the year. Matt Liebergall tallied; the Falcons equalized, and then Joe Greenwald got the game-winner, with 1 minute to play. Coach Chris O’Dell commended Sam Koenig and Dylan Hoy for their strong play.
Mike White (right) and Brendan Lesch react differently to a call (or non-call?) against Fairfield Ludlowe.
James Hickok saves against the Falcons. He's got plenty of defensive cover.
Defender Andrew McNair appears to be heading the ball in the wrong direction. Note that the goalkeeper is Staples' own Michael McCarthy. We're sure, however, that the Staples captain knew what he was doing. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Dylan Evans rounds the corner against Fairfield Ludlowe. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Posted in General news
Sam Bender has done it again!
Staples’ favorite videographer has compiled highlights from 3 matches — Darien, Brien McMahon and Danbury — into a compelling YouTube video. Goals galore, sharp ball control work, great defense, plus fine goalkeeping by Michael McCarthy and freshman James Hickok (Darien) fill this cool clip. Click here — and enjoy.
The Wreckers strike various poses before the match at Danbury -- an image NOT caught on YouTube. Check out the multi-colored shoes. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Posted in General news
The Wreckers knew tonight’s game would be a battle.
It was their 3rd match in 5 days — all on the road — and their 2nd consecutive night game. Danbury — which graduated only 1 senior last spring — is much improved over last year. And today was Staples’ Homecoming pep rally — fun, of course, but also traditionally very distracting.
It was a focused Westport squad, though, that took the Hatters’ turf this evening. They started cohesively, with Brendan Lesch’s header off Mikey Scott’s throw just missing. Mike White’s shot was saved; a corner kick skipped wide; Scott’s inswinger was not finished — and suddenly it was close to half time, the longest the Wreckers have been shut out all year.
In the 31st minute, though, Greg Gudis’ hard work earned a corner kick. He took it himself. As has happened often on set pieces, it sailed into the goalmouth and was met with a header. Lesch again outleaped his defenders, and this time his shot was true.
The hosts were not ready to concede, however. One minute into the 2nd half they forced Michael McCarthy into 1 of his toughest saves of the year. Two minutes later sweeper Jack Hennessy’s forceful tackle prevented further damage.
In the 50th minute Staples struck again. Alan Reiter found Gudis near midfield. The junior launched a 40-yard shot that soared over the keeper’s outstretched hands, for 1 of the prettiest scores of the season.
Once again, Danbury did not concede. With 12 minutes to go Henry Ipina matched Gudis’ blast for power, though from slightly closer in. It was the 1st goal against Staples all season — breaking a scoreless streak of 388 minutes. “If you’re going to get scored on, that’s the kind it should be,” philosophized head coach Dan Woog.
Staples responded with the poise of a veteran squad. McCarthy and defenders Hennessy, Mikey Fitzgerald, Frankie Bergonzi and Steven Denowitz battened down in the back. Lesch, Reiter, Scott and Matteo Marzoli took care of midfield, while White and Gudis applied pressure up front. They managed the game to the end, ensuring a victory that was as hard-earned as it was important.
“We took a big step forward today,” Woog said. “We needed to be tested, and we were. We had to see if we could come through when we were tired, and we saw it. We had to respond when we got scored against, and we did. There will be tougher matches ahead, I’m sure, but this helped prepare us for them.” Final score: Staples 2, Danbury 1. Season record: 5-0-0.
QUICK KICKS: Danbury had a large, loud crowd, making for an enjoyable atmosphere….
Drew McNair was elected by the senior class to serve as MC for today’s Homecoming pep rally. He wore the famed multi-colored pants last seen on Liam Bohonnon ’08….
Alan Reiter was named Westport News Athlete of the Week. The quad-captain was cited for his 3 assists this week, and was called “a force at midfield with his vision and touch.”…
Max Hoberman’s early goal stood up, as the junior varsity downed Danbury 1-0. Steve Smith, Ian Chasnow, Terence Gibbons, Will Meinke and Ben Root all played well for Ross McGibney’s side, and goalkeeper Alex Soderstrom — replacing the absent David Levi — earned the shutout….
The freshmen shut out Danbury 5-0. Greg Salamone, Noah Bender, Walker Marsh, Harry Birch and Zack Pensak all tallied. Coach Chris O’Dell cited Pensak and Zach Morrison for their solid efforts.
Matteo Marzoli gets stuck in in Danbury. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Michael McCarthy explains one of his decisions to an interested keeper coach Tom Henske during halftime. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Greg Gudis weaves his way through a trio of Danbury Hatters. In the background, Alan Reiter sings Gudis's praises. (Photo by Carl McNair)
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Every fall, 1 of the most popular features on StaplesSoccer.com is the “Meet the Wreckers” page.
The 2009 edition is now online. If you’ve ever wondered about your favorite Wrecker’s favorite hangout or electronic device — or his favorite course at Staples; where he’d live if he could move anywhere; which member of the Staples soccer program he’d most like to be, etc. — click here.
If Luke Yeager didn't live in Westport, he'd move to Philadelphia. Who knew?
The Wreckers faced a well-organized Senator side on the Jack Casagrande Field turf — the 1st of a Staples-record 6 regular season night games this year.
After several chances — including a couple of headers off Mikey Scott throws, and 1 off the crossbar from Jake Krosse — the blue-and-whites hit paydirt. Nifty passing between Alan Reiter, Greg Gudis, Mike Fitzgerald and Brendan Lesch culminated in a goal by Mike White. It was crisp, clean — and a direct result of the previous day’s training, which concentrated on turning with the ball.
The tally came in the 13th minute — the longest it has taken Staples to score all year.
Gudis had the hot foot in the 1st half — including a 30th-minute left-footed rocket that caromed off the post, and keeper Bryan Daniello’s hand, so quickly that fans will have to wait for Sam Bender’s video to see what actually happened.
The half ended with Fitzgerald feeding Mikey Scott, for a 40-yard blast that flew just inches high.
The 2nd half opened with a White corner kick. Lesch headed it directly on goal — but somehow a Senator cleared it off the line.
Six minutes later, Lesch’s header was true. This time it came off Scott’s throw — which was earned by White’s hard work.
Reiter nearly connected in the 51st minute. The hosts had the run of play for 20 minutes after that, but Staples managed the game. Keeper Michael McCarthy and defenders Fitzgerald, Krosse, Jack Hennessy and Drew McNair kept the scoreline clean, and for the final 10 minutes the Wreckers were once again in control. Final score: Staples 2, Brien McMahon 0. Season record: 4-0-0.
QUICK KICKS: Spencer Adler’s score gave the junior varsity a 1-0 victory.
Sean Gallagher steps in to win the ball at Brien McMahon. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Matteo Marzoli moves upfield against Brien McMahon. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Drew McNair shows the form that makes him a defensive force. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Brendan Lesch heads to goal, at Brien McMahon. (Photo by Carl McNair)
Posted in General news
Spencer "Spoon" Adler in action last year
Three juniors — Sean Gallagher, Mikey Scott and Spencer Adler — are among the 10 representatives from their class on Student Assembly, Staples’ governing body.
In addition, Kyle Hoberman and Max Hoberman were re-elected as representatives of their sophomore class.
All 5 follow in the footsteps of Alex Hoberman ’09, last year’s Student Assembly president.
Congratulations to the quintet on their election!
Jim Stout — the veteran soccer reporter for the Danbury News-Times who now covers high school sports for MaxPreps High School sports — has just posted 186 photos from the Staples-Darien game. Click here to enjoy!
Last Friday, freshman James Hickok became the 1st freshman in Staples soccer’s 51-year history to play goalkeeper in a varsity game.
Today he started.
Senior Michael McCarthy — who is having an outstanding season in the Wrecker nets — has been sick for several days. Into the breach stepped the 9th grader, who has impressed his varsity teammates with his skill, courage and willingness to take charge of players 3 years older.
The Westporters enjoy playing on Darien’s excellent turf, and came out using the fast surface well. In the 10th minute Mike White drove into the box, earning a corner kick. He took it himself; his driven ball was power-headed home by Mikey Fitzgerald, the tall defender who is a force on set plays.
Five minutes later Fitzgerald’s quick pass from the back found central midfielder Alan Reiter. The quad-captain hit White, who raced forward, turned, took a man on, then finished firmly for a 2-0 lead.
In the 18th minute the Blue Wave threatened. Sweeper Jack Hennessy cleared 2 balls — 1 off the line — and Hickok made a superb save, landing hard on the turf. He bounced up — but not before the small crowd of Staples faithful held their collective breath. (The other keeper, Connor Walsh, is still recovering from a broken wrist. Next in line is field player Luke Yeager.)
In the 22nd minute Brendan Lesch’s header off a Mike Scott throw was saved well by Darien keeper Brennan Branca, but a minute later Hennessy played a long ball out of the back. Yeager flicked it on, and for the 2nd match in a row his flick was rewarded with a goal. This time Greg Gudis sniped it in.
Hickok saved once more well, and soon it was 4-0. This time Reiter initiated things with an instant restart. He played it to Lesch, who struck true.
The 5th goal — in the 30th minute — came off Scott’s fine run. Gallagher gathered the feed, making him the 5th Stapleite to score in the 1st half hour.
There was no scoring in the 2nd half, but the Wreckers on the field continued to play intelligent, defend-well-and-then-go-forward Staples soccer. Steven Denowitz, Jake Malowitz, Nick Cion and Dylan Evans looked particularly solid. Final score: Staples 5, Darien 0. Season record: 3-0-0.
QUICK KICKS: The Wreckers outshot the Wave 21-5, and led in corner kicks 6-1….
Darien’s assistant coach, Tristan Egusa, is a former Staples soccer player…
The junior varsity surrendered 2 2nd-half goals — one on a penalty kick — and tied Darien 2-2. Ben Root and Stephan Patterson scored for Staples….
The freshman shut out Darien 6-0. Harry Birch (2), Dylan Hoy, Noah Bender, Ryan Petersen and Jeff Krieger all tallied. Coach Chris O’Dell cited Jon Denowitz for his strong play.
Nick Cion clears, past a pesky Darien Waver. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Sophomore Jake Malowitz shields against a Waver. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Steven Denowitz and Nate Greenberg (behind) are on the move, while a Darien player appears less mobile. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Jake Krosse and James Hickok share a special defensive moment against Darien. (Photo by MaryGrace Gudis)
Court Lake handles a Darien defender. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
James Hickok saves in traffic as the 1st half ends in Darien. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)
Posted in General news
Sam Bender has done it again!
Staples’ ace videographer has compiled the Westhill and Harding highlights into a new YouTube clip. Click here to see last week’s goals — and some other fine plays.
Posted in General news
