Staples vs. Trumbull (FCIAC quarterfinal)

Staples soccer traditionally plays 3 different fall “seasons”:  the regular season, FCIAC tournament and state tourney.

This year’s 1st “season” was really 2 separate ones.  After a gruesome 1-2 start, the Wreckers regrouped.  Then they caught fire.  They went 13-0-1, finishing 2nd in the league standings and drawing Trumbull for the FCIAC quarterfinal.

After a bad 3-1 loss to the Golden Eagles in game 2 of the fall schedule, head coach Dan Woog looked ahead.  “We’ll see them again,” he said.  “And we’ll be a different team.”

The Westporters are a different team now.  But Trumbull always brings their A game.  They’ve got Staples’ number.  Since a 2-0 victory in 2003, the Wreckers have gone 0-3-3 against them.

A large crowd — helped by a pre-game Homecoming pep rally — filled Loeffler Field.  Staples chose to attack with the strong wind at their backs.  Also strong:  the Eagles’ big, tall and very stingy defense.

Frankie Bergonzi’s 1st-minute header — followed by a James Hickok save, and subsequent corner kick — set the tone for the 1st half.  It seesawed back and forth.

Brendan Lesch, Court Lake, Greg Gudis, Jake Krosse, Lorenz Esposito Steve Smith and Max Hoberman moved the ball well — with Bergonzi coming out of the back — while Bergonzi, Steven Denowitz, Jake Malowitz and Sean Gallagher played tight defense under more pressure than they’ve seen most of the year.  Gallagher’s 27th-minute tackle, in particular, was the stuff of highlight reels.

The 2nd half — into the wind — proved challenging for Staples. They tried to adapt by playing more on the ground, and varied their set pieces.  Gudis’s 53rd-minute free kick was bobbled by the keeper, but no one finished.

At the other end of the field, Gallagher cleared a near-goal off the line.

Regulation time wound down.  Taylor McNair’s 76th minute header was indicative of the game:  close, but not close enough.

With 2:15 remaining, Trumbull’s Keith Bond broke free at the top of the box.  He rifled a shot into the far right corner — and out of nowhere, Hickok leaped, grabbed the ball, and landed on it.  It was a textbook save for the sophomore — and possibly a season-saving one as well.

As overtime — 2 10-minute periods, no golden goal — began, the Wreckers wound themselves up.  Their tackling grew fiercer; their runs forward became more creative; their free kicks, more dangerous.

But Trumbull was just as tenacious.  In the 86th minute Hickok saved high.  His outlet initiated a great run forward — yet still no score.

Two minutes into the 2nd OT, Gudis had the ball at midfield.  He juked 2 players, then a 3rd, but was forced to the outside.

He found his way through the area, and drove endline.  Almost out of bounds, he slammed a shoulder-high ball across the box.

Lesch was waiting.  Twisting his body, he redirected a header past everyone.  It was a stunning goal, from start to finish.

But Trumbull refused to quit.  With 2 minutes to go Hickok leaped high for a driven ball.  Jostled hard by at least 2 players, he once again came up huge.

The Wreckers managed the clock after that.  It was a satisfying end to an electrifying goal, and an edifying match.

“We needed a game like this,” said Dan Woog.  “Not just to win and move on to the semis, but to test ourselves against an excellent team, in a pressure situation.

“Every match from here on could be like this.  It’s win or go home.  There will be tense moments, but from now on when we’re in tough situations we’ll say, ‘Remember Trumbull.  Remember how we dug down, and gutted it out.  Remember what we need to do.’

“And then we’ll do it.”  Final score:  Staples 1, Trumbull 0.  Season record:  14-2-1.

QUICK KICKS: Staples’ FCIAC semifinal opponent is Wilton.  The #6 Warriors upset #3 Greenwich 1-0, in their 1st league tournament appearance in 10 years.  The semi is set for Monday, Nov. 1 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School (tentatively 5 p.m.).  The match will be streamed live over WWPT-FM 903 (click here to listen)…

In other quarterfinal action, #4 Fairfield Warde edged #5 Ridgefield 1-0, in overtime.  Top-seeded Norwalk and #8 New Canaan battled to a 2-2 regulation tie, and 3-3 in overtime, before the Rams pulled out an upset PK win.

This was Staples’ 1st overtime game since their penalty kick win over Newtown, in last year’s state tournament 2nd round.  It was the Wreckers’ 1st win during overtime since the 2006 FCIAC semifinals (1-0 against Greenwich)…

Staples outshot Trumbull 15-9, and led in corner kicks 7-2.

Court Lake rounds the corner against Chris Neil. Court had one of his best games in a Staples uniform against Trumbull. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)

The night before the FCIAC tournament, several Wreckers got Mohawks. Brendan Lesch did the honors on Frankie Bergonzi.

Staples vs. Bassick

The Wreckers registered another first today:  a match at Went Field.

Bassick’s home field is now a nice park, hard by the railroad tracks and I-95.  It’s small, but the grass was in good shape (despite today’s rain).  And though the Lions were out of contention for an FCIAC playoff berth in this final regular season encounter — and their small numbers have been hit with injuries — they are much improved over Bassick teams of previous years.

Staples scored 1st, in the 17th minute.  Brendan Lesch hit Lorenz Esposito; his shot rebounded out, to a perfectly positioned Court Lake.

Greg Gudis made it 2-0 just 2 minutes into the 2nd half.  He picked up a loose ball near midfield, then fired a cannon shot over the keeper.

The Wreckers rested their starters, in preparation for Friday’s FCIAC quarterfinal match (3 p.m., home, against an opponent still to be determined).  They showed strongly — with keeper Connor Walsh making a superb diving save — and in the final 5 minutes, 3 goals were scored.

Two were by Staples.  Harry Birch headed in Dylan Hoy’s corner kick, and Taylor McNair’s fine feed found Max Hoberman for a simple slot.

Bassick’s tally, by Nick Whyte, was sandwiched in between those tallies.  Final score:  Staples 4, Bassick 1.  Final regular season record:  13-2-1.

QUICK KICKS: Trumbull hosts Darien tonight (7 p.m.).  The result of that match will determine Friday’s FCIAC quarterfinal foe….

Dylan Evans made his 1st appearance of the season, following a knee injury….

The junior varsity shut out Bassick 2-0.  Jon Denowitz netted both goals, off assists from Terence Gibbons and Jay Kaplan.  Coach Danny Dias ended his inaugural season as Wrecker JV coach with a fine 12-1-1 record.

Lorenz Esposito fires a weird-looking but effective shot against Bassick. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Dylan Evans looked very effective in his season debut against Bassick. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Ross McGibney ’06 Leads Northeast-10 In Scoring

Since arriving at Southern Connecticut State University this fall, Ross McGibney ’10 has taken the New Haven campus — and entire Northeast-10 Conference — by storm.

The former Staples captain (and junior varsity coach) has started 11 games, as both a midfielder and striker.  His 8 goals and 1 assist lead the team — and the league.

The Owls’ final regular season game is this Friday (Oct. 29), 7 p.m. in New Haven versus Merrimack College.

Staples vs. Ridgefield

The Tigers came to town in 4th place in the FCIAC — just 2 spots below the Wreckers.  With towering defenders and a quick counterattack, the northerners have enjoyed a typically strong season.

Frankie Bergonzi roared out of the backfield in the opening minutes, setting a tone for the match.  Ridgefield employed their offside trap well, catching Staples several times, but in the 11th minute the Westporters got forward.

A Mikey Scott throw-in was saved over the line by keeper Matthew Knizeski.  Scott’s corner was nearly headed in by Bergonzi — it hit the post — but almost immediately Scott got another throw.

This time Greg Gudis ran through, powering in a great header for an early lead.

With Gudis playing tenaciously — and covering broad swaths of territory — the Wreckers pressed the attack.  Jake Krosse masterminded midfield, Bergonzi continued to penetrate, and Sean Gallagher kept things honest in back.

Three minutes after intermission, Gudis forced Knizeski into a dangerous bobble.  The score remained 1-0 — but not for long.

In the 45th minute Krosse and Lesch worked a nifty give-and-go.  Krosse took the return pass — a neat slot — then deposited a perfect shot low and in the corner.

Within 2 minutes it was 3-0.  Bergonzi flicked on Scott’s throw; Court Lake (who excelled at several different positions all day) was there to ram it home.

Scott gets an unofficial assist on that score.  Hoping to get more goals off his throws, he helped design several plays that the Wreckers trained in recent days.

Just as quickly, the hosts scored again.  Lesch laid off; Scott dummied; Jake Malowitz flicked on, and Lorenz Esposito headed high and long into the net.

That goal — Staples’ 3rd in a 5:29 span — almost finished off the Tigers.  Their best chance came in the 52nd minute, off a free kick.  But keeper James Hickok read it well, dove far to his right, and punched safely.

The Wrecker reserves continued to press.  Lars Aanestad hit Steve Smith; his great shot was saved well by the keeper.

Smith and Alex Tonsberg had excellent chances in a goalmouth scrum, while Dylan Hoy rifled a shot in the final minute.

“This is the best time of year,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “Our guys know how great it feels to win big matches like this.  And they know there are plenty of big matches ahead.”  Final score:  Staples 4, Ridgefield 0.  Season record:  12-2-1.

QUICK KICKS: The junior varsity rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit to down Ridgefield 2-1.  Jay Kaplan nailed a penalty kick, while Terence Gibbons scored from the field.  Tucker Rizzi manned the nets in the 2nd half….

It was Senior Day — a chance to honor the Wreckers’ 12:  Ryan Armour, Frankie Bergonzi, Steven Denowitz, Sean Gallagher, AJ Green, Greg Gudis, Jake Krosse, Court Lake, Brendan Lesch, Mikey Scott, Felipe Troncoso and Connor Walsh.  Ridgefield’s 16 seniors were also announced before the match….

After being knocked on the head, Bergonzi returned to the field wearing a bright pink bandage.  He later took 3 stitches.

Jake Malowitz makes sure Ridgefield's Kevin Coleman does not get through. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Andrew McNair ’10 Stars For Trinity

Andrew McNair ’10 started this season as Trinity College’s 1st walk-on in years.

Earlier this month, he won a starting spot.

Now he’s a star.

Late in the match with Tufts, the freshman defender made a sliding save on an open goal, preserving a 0-0 draw.

The very next day, he got an assist in a 3-0 victory over Springfield.

The Bantams are now 6-5-1.  Two regular season matches remain, at Bowdoin and Amherst.

Staples vs. St. Joseph

After 2 very intense wins — against opponents coming to Westport with just 1 loss between them — one might expect this afternoon’s match to be less alluring.

One would be correct.

The Wreckers converted none of their 8 1st-half shots.  The 1st 40 minutes were noteworthy mostly for the return of Steve Denowitz, back after missing 9 games (knee injury).  He moved confidently into his former defensive spot, looking none the worse for his extended absence.

The scoreless drought continued all the way through the 2nd period.  Mikey Scott was dragged down in the penalty area.  Greg Gudis blasted home the ensuing penalty kick.  It was Staples’ 1st PK all year.

The most exciting moment came in the final second.  The Cadets fired their best — and only — shot of the day.  It whizzed over the bar, a few inches high.  Final score:  Staples 1, St. Joseph 0.  Season record:  11-2-1.

QUICK KICKS: The junior varsity shut out St. Joseph 8-0.  Jay Kaplan, Noah Bender and Brad Payne had 2 goals each; Terence Gibbons and Ryan Petersen added solo strikes….

The freshmen came back twice at Ridgefield — both times on Diego Alanis’ free kicks — but the Tigers pulled ahead with a penalty kick and late goal, and won 4-2.  Coach Chris O’Dell was proud of the Wreckers’ effort, which came on the heels of several other strong games.  The frosh end the season with a 4-3-2 mark.

Sean Gallagher heads out of danger. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)

Lorenz Esposito does his thing against St. Joseph. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)

Brendan Lesch Named FCIAC Player Of The Week

Brendan Lesch

Two goals and 1 assist last week earned Brendan Lesch Blue Streak-Overtime FCIAC Player of the Week honors.

Stamford Advocate sportswriter Dave Ruden’s “Overtime” blog also cited the Notre Dame-bound senior for his “field leadership during a 5-1 rout of previously unbeaten Brookfield.”

The award is open to athletes on all FCIAC teams, in all fall sports.  Lesch will receive a plaque and a t-shirt.

Staples vs. Greenwich

Staples-Greenwich is one of the longest-running — and best — boys soccer rivalries in the FCIAC.  Games are always well-played, and hard-fought.

This year’s match had an added twist.  Both teams were tied for 2nd place in the league.  Both needed a win to maintain any hope of catching leading Norwalk.  And both had overcome early defeats to surge during October.  Neither had lost in weeks.

Defensively, the Wreckers and Cards were mirror images.  They showed nearly identical formations, with rock-solid central players and fast, strong flanks.

A hard shot just 30 seconds in tested Staples keeper James Hickok; he fielded it cleanly.  The visitors continued to attack, but a solid tackle by Sean Gallagher initiated a counter — and presaged the way the 1st half would go.

In the 9th minute Greg Gudis stuck in hard at midfield, won the ball and send Max Hoberman in.  He was saved — but that play too foreshadowed much of what was to follow.

Court Lake and Brendan Lesch combined defensively, with Lesch covering vast swaths of territory.  They went forward — and so did Frankie Bergonzi, the tri-captain who had one of  his best games ever.

Jake Malowitz was injured early, but Ben Root stepped right in with a typically strong match, particularly in the air.

Mike Scott’s throw was, as always, a potent weapon — and so was his hard work, earning the ball against bigger foes and racing into the corner.

Lorenz Esposito and Jake Krosse were 2 more keys to the Wrecker attack.

The hosts’ passing game was on; so — thanks in large part to Gudis — was their ability to switch fields.

But Greenwich kept coming, and the halftime score was a nail-biting 0-0.

Staples’ halftime talk focused on the need to play more on the ground, away from the Cards’ tall and talented defenders.  Just 2:30 after intermission Gudis and Bergonzi fed Lake.  His shot was high, but the penetration was telling.

Gudis laced a dangerous free kick; Gallagher initiated an intricate series of passes; then Gudis, Bergonzi and Esposito combined to send Lesch in, for a just-high header.

In the 54th minute, the blue-and-whites earned a free kick 25 yards from goal.  Gudis stepped up — and laced a shot that went through the keeper’s hands.

“Goals follow goals” is keeper coach Tom Henske’s mantra, and the guests almost converted off a corner kick.

But Gudis countered dangerously, and suddenly the tide of the close game turned.

In the 64th minute Bergonzi raced upfield, and laid off to Gudis.  He hit Steve Smith, then got the ball right back.  Gudis then unleashed a 30-yard rocket — and it was 2-0.

Scott, Smith and Gudis continued to press well — and hit defenders going forward.  In the 71st minute Smith’s inswinger from the corner found Bergonzi’s head.  He flicked on to Hoberman, who touched in for an easy — but well-earned — 3-0 edge.

Hickok was tested once more, in the 74th minute.  Once again, he was sure.

Staples kept pressing.  In the 78th minute Hoberman won a bone-crunching tackle, leading to a corner kick.  Taylor McNair nearly converted.

The coaches, players — and large Hill crowd — was delighted with the Wreckers’ 2nd straight strong performance.  As the regular season winds down, and FCIAC and state playoffs loom, the play is solid and the smiles broad.  Final score:  Staples 3, Greenwich 0.  Season record:  10-2-1.

QUICK KICKS: The junior varsity rode Kyle Hoberman’s 1st-half goal (from Terence Gibbons) to a 1-0 victory over Greenwich.  Greg Shikowitz stepped up nicely….

The freshmen had back-to-back matches this week.  First they edged Norwalk 2-1, on a pair of strikes by Yousef Shahin.  Coach Chris O’Dell cited Jake McGibney for his excellent defense.  Then the frosh tied Greenwich 1-1, without 2 starters.  Diego Alanis squeaked in a goal with just 3 minutes to play, and showed strongly.  Jonathan Osorio had an excellent match in goal, while Connor Weiler played nicely at sweeper.

Greg Gudis works his way through Greenwich's Brian Hoff and Mike Flippin. (Photo by Carl McNair)

AJ Green gets air as he initiates a counterattack. Keeper James Hickok looks on. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Frankie Bergonzi wins one of his many headers against Greenwich. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)

Staples vs. Brookfield

In just 3 years, Staples-Brookfield has turned into a superb rivalry.

The 1st 2 times, the non-league meeting has proven pivotal for the Wreckers.  Two years ago a 3-0 home victory — immediately following a 1-0 loss to Norwalk — propelled Staples to a 13-game winning streak, an FCIAC championship and a berth in the state semifinals.

Last year the Bobcats got revenge, 3-1 on their turf.  But the Westporters used the loss — their 1st of the season — to realize they were not invincible.  They redoubled their efforts, and went on to capture the state LL championship.  Brookfield, meanwhile, gained confidence from their decisive victory — and won the state L crown, in a come-from-behind win over New Canaan.

This year’s match-up was highly anticipated.  Brookfield arrived at Albie Loeffler Field with an unbeaten (8-0-2) mark, a bit better than their hosts’ 8-2-1.   But the Wreckers had been playing well, and were fully focused on the task at hand.

An enormous crowd on The Hill sat back to enjoy a glorious — if windy — fall Saturday afternoon.  Staples won the toss and chose to go with the wind — which gusted up to 50 miles an hour at times.

It took just 4:32 for the Wreckers’ attack to pay dividends.  Frankie Bergonzi’s long throw set Max Hoberman on a run.  He hit Greg Gudis, who slotted over to Lorenz Esposito.  The sophomore’s shot was saved by keeper Austin Dacuna, but Mikey Scott was right there to tap in the rebound.

Seven minutes later it was 2-0.  Sean Gallagher’s free kick was half-cleared, but Esposito picked up the loose ball.  He took 2 touches, then blasted a 30-yard rip that sailed untouched into the upper corner.

Less than a minute after that — a mere 12:04 into the match — Staples struck again.  This time Jake Krosse pounced on a loose ball; his 35-yard rocket was even harder, prettier and more exciting than Esposito’s (if possible).

The blue-and-whites had a few more chances to get a 4th goal before halftime — particularly on balls from Esposito and Court Lake that sent an overlapping Bergonzi in, and a strong attempt by Gudis — but the best opportunity came 1:30 from time.

Brendan Lesch — who sparked his side with strong runs forward, visionary distribution and stellar defense — had what looked like a sure goal cleared off the line.

The Wreckers faced the wind in the 2nd half, but their intensity never wavered.  With Lesch running the show; Lake and Krosse winning key balls and initiating attacks; Gudis, Scott and Hoberman running through; Bergonzi, Gallagher and Jake Malowitz defending together and providing cover, and keeper James Hickok snagging the few balls he had to, the blue-and-whites controlled both the tempo and style of play.

In the 53rd minute Hoberman raced into the red zone.  His crisp cross was dished off by Esposito to a well-positioned Steve Smith.  In a move right out of training, Smith stuck it home.

Smith almost got another, 2 minutes later, but was called offside.  But the 5th goal did come, off an alert play by Alex Tonsberg.  He scooped up a loose ball, took a couple of touches to settle, then calmly chipped the keeper.

Brookfield’s Colin Burke averted the shutout with 4:28 to play, but the damage had been done.

The coaching staff was as pleased with the result as the large hillside crowd.  “There was a lot to like,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “Our defense was alert and tight.  We moved the ball nicely all over the field.  This was a completely unselfish game.  Guys looked for teammates, found them, and got balls back in return.

“And the fact that 5 different players scored speaks volumes.

“I think everyone had fun.  This should give us confidence and momentum going forward.”

The Wreckers will need both.  Next up:  Greenwich, with an 8-1-1 record.  That match is Tuesday (4 p.m., Staples).  Once again, The Hill should be packed for a crucial match.  Final score:  Staples 5, Brookfield 1.  Season record:  9-2-1.

QUICK KICKS: Mikey Scott wore #22, instead of his traditional #14….

The junior varsity tied Hamden Hall’s varsity at the private school’s Homecoming, 1-1.  Terence Gibbons got the 1st-half goal, an upper-90 blast.  Coach Danny Dias was pleased with his team’s performance; all eligible players saw substantial time.  Hamden Hall is coached by former Staples, University of Connecticut and North American Soccer League standout Tim Hunter ’71.

 

Fans are used to watching Brendan Lesch and Frankie Bergonzi chest-bump after goals. Here they make contact, winning a ball for Staples against Brookfield. (Photo by Lisa Krosse)

 

 

Quiz Night 2010 A Huge Success

Scores of Staples soccer players, friends, parents, grandparents, teachers and random others crowded the Staples cafeteria last night for the 6th annual Quiz Night.

Raffle prizes — including an iPod Touch — augmented the race for 1st place.  In a nail-biting finish, a group of senior Wreckers  including Ryan Armour, Steve Denowitz, AJ Green and Connor Walsh edged out 2 other teams, including one with several other players augmented by permanent substitute, Superfan (and Staples Challenge team advisor) Jim Goodrich P’99, ’01.

Great thanks go to the many parents who volunteered their time and energy to make the event possible, spearheaded by varsity captains’ parents Mary-Lisa Bergonzi, Mary Ellen Gallagher and Jeanne Lesch, and prize coordinator Pam Evans.

Who knew that the average Model T got 28.5 miles per gallon?  That most American car horns beep in the key of F?  That Robert E. Lee graduated 1st in his West Point class?

The Staples soccer family knew — that’s who.

 

The winners included senior players Connor Walsh, AJ Green and Ryan Armour. (Photo by Carl McNair)

 

 

These players did well -- with a bit of help from Jim Goodrich. From left: Sean Gallagher, Goodrich, James Hickok, Greg Gudis, Mikey Scott, Frankie Bergonzi, Court Lake and Brendan Lesch. (Photo by Carl McNair)

 

 

The Meinke table included Alan and Lori Meinke P'05, '12, Igor Pikayzen '05 and Chris Meinke '05. Igor -- a Yale School of Music grad student -- knew that Mozart's "Symphony in G" was written by Mozart. (Photo by Carl McNair)

 

 

Mary-Lisa Bergonzi P'11 takes care of iPod Touch raffle tickets. (Photo by Carl McNair)

 

 

This sophomore tablel included players Noah Bender, Andrew Travers and Sam Koenig. (Photo by Carl McNair)

 

 

This middle school table -- including representatives of the Gudis and Lesch families -- seemed pleased with their "prize." (Photo by Carl McNair)