Wreckers Add Bunnell To Pre-Season Schedule

Continuing their long tradition of seeking out the best competition in the state, Staples has added Bunnell to its pre-season schedule.

Zach Zurita leads a cast of strong returning Bunnell players. His father, Elias, teaches in Westport. (Photo/CT Post)

Like the Wreckers, the Stratford school fell in the state finals last fall.  New Canaan captured the L division title, 2-0.  But Bunnell had no seniors on last year’s squad, making them a formidable foe — and a great test.

“Pre-season is very important,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “We use it to figure out who plays well where, and in what combinations.  We see what we need to work on.  And our players learn that there are a number of good teams out there.”

The Bunnell scrimmage is set for Thursday, Sept. 8, at Wakeman B.  The traditional home match with Wethersfield (Friday, Sept. 2), round-robin at Glastonbury (Tuesday, Sept. 6) and Wethersfield Jamboree (Saturday, Sept. 10) are also confirmed.

One more scrimmage, 3 or 4 days after tryouts begin, may be added later.

The FCIAC schedule will be finalized this spring.  If — as has been discussed — the league decides to go with a 16-game schedule (it’s been 15 the past 4 years), there will be no room for an out-of-conference match.  Since 2008, L division powerhouse Brookfield has provided that opportunity.

Nicky Hoberman ’07 Named To All-ECAC Team

Nicky Hoberman

Nicky Hoberman ’07 capped off his Union College career with a selection to the 13-member All-ECAC Division III team.  The nation’s largest athletic and conference, it  includes 300 colleges from Maine to North Carolina and Illinois.

Nicky played all 18 games for the Dutchmen this fall.  A defender, he played a large role in allowing just 11.1 shots and 1.06 goals per game.

Nicky was also chosen for the All-Liberty League team.  Congratulations!

Taylor McNair, Max Hoberman, Kyle Hoberman Lead Very Successful Coat Drive

Thanks to the efforts of Taylor McNair, Max Hoberman and Kyle Hoberman, a few dozen Mercy Learning Center mothers and their children will have a warmer winter.

When the 3 juniors heard that Dr. Gerald Kuroghlian — their freshman English teacher — was volunteering at the renowned Bridgeport center, and was trying to find coats for kids and moms, they offered to help.  They spearheaded a collection effort at tonight’s boys basketball game, yielding several overflowing boxes.

Dr. Kuroghlian has been an avid supporter of Staples soccer, and the program is honored to help this great cause.

Kyle Hoberman, Max Hoberman and Taylor McNair at work. (Photo by Elaine Rankowitz)

Kyle Martino ’99, Mike Noonan ’79 Enter State Soccer Hall Of Fame

Seven icons have been selected for the 13th annual induction ceremony of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame — and 2 are Staples soccer alumni.

Kyle Martino ’99 and Mike Noonan ’79 join 8 others already inducted with Westport ties at this year’s ceremony:  Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Farmington Marriott.

Kylel Martino

Kyle — the 1998 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year — went on to register 17 goals and 21 assists in 3 years at the University of Virginia.  ACC Rookie of the Year, a 2-time Hermann Trophy finalist and 2001 ACC Player of the Year, he was drafted by the Columbus Crew and in 2002 was MLS Rookie of the Year.

Kyle had a stellar 6-year career with the Crew and LA Galaxy, where he teamed with David Beckham.

He represented the US at the 2001 World Youth Championships in Argentina, and earned 8 caps for the men’s national team.  Kyle scored against Panama in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

He was an MLS and World Cup broadcaster for ESPN.  Kyle now works for Fox  Soccer Channel, and is a soccer blogger.

Mike Noonan

Mike played on Staples’ 1978 state championship team.  A 4-year starter and 2-time 1st team All-American at Middlebury College, he played professionally in Sweden and with both the Major Indoor Soccer League and American Indoor Soccer Association.

Mike started the men’s soccer program at Wheaton College.  He moved on to the University of New Hampshire, then Brown University.

In 15 years at Brown, Mike compiled a 160-77-31 record.  He led the Bears to 10 NCAA tournament berths, including 2 quarterfinal appearances; 8 Ivy League championships, and the team’s highest national ranking ever (3rd) iin 1995.

Last winter, Mike moved to the ACC, as head coach of Clemson University.  He also is a long-time NSCAA national staff coach.

Of the 102 members inducted since the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame was founded in 1999, 8 have Westport connections:  Staples soccer program founder Albie Loeffler; longtime Westport coach and former college star Jim Kuhlmann; current Staples head coach Dan Woog; professional players Tim Hunter ’71 and Paul Hunter ’73; former Duke University NCAA national champion and current sports marketer Mark Noonan ’83,  and Mickey Kydes, coaching director of the Westport Soccer Association.

Three others also have Westport connections, though weaker:  Ray Reid, Pedro de Brito and Elvis Comrie all played with the famed Bridge Grille U-23 team of the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Of the 7 inductees in Kyle and Mike’s 2011 class this year, 3 others have Westport ties.  Steve Waters is head coach of the Farmington High School team that defeated the Wreckers 2-1 in last fall’s state final; Paul Toomey (Coventry High School) was a University of Pennsylvania teammate of Peter Dickstein ’73, and Mark Holowesko was at the Staples-Simsbury state quarterfinal match this year, to watch his son play for the Trojans.

The 2011 ceremony on Jan. 29 begins at 5:30 p.m.  Tickets are $40; for reservations, call 860-676-1161.

Max Hoberman, Taylor McNair Lead Winter Coat Drive

Two years ago, as freshmen, Max Hoberman and Taylor McNair had Gerry Kuroghlian for English 1A.  It was “Dr. K”‘s last year of teaching, after 42 years at Staples.

The gifted instructor immediately began volunteering at Mercy Learning Center — the Bridgeport literacy and life-skills organization that gives hope to hundreds of women.  This winter, Kuroghlian noticed that the children of many of the women lacked warm coats.

He looked for a way to help.  When they heard of the need, Max and Taylor offered to lend a hand.

On Friday, Jan. 14 — before the Staples boys basketball game against Bassick — Max and Taylor (plus a few teammates) will be collecting coats.  A drop-off box will be available for children’s (sizes 2-14) and women’s winter coats.

“This is a great example of seeing a need, and responding to it,” said Staples head coach Dan Woog.  “Dr. Kuroghlian has been a long-time friend of the boys soccer program.  We’re happy to help him out, as he helps so many kids and women in need.”

(If you have coats to donate, but cannot attend the Jan. 14 boys basketball game, please email dwoog@optonline.net, to arrange for pick-up.)

WSA U-18, U-16 Spring Teams Tryouts Postponed To Feb. 6

Because of continued bad weather and conflicts with exams, the Westport Soccer Association has postponed U-18 and U-16 spring travel team tryouts to Sunday, Feb. 6.

All high school students living in Westport are eligible to play.  Tryouts will be held from 12-1 p.m. in the Bedford Middle School gym.  Pre-registration is required (details below).

“The WSA has been a great partner with Staples soccer,” says Wrecker head coach Dan Woog.  “The coaching and competition provided each spring has been invaluable in preparing players for the next level.  Our guys have plenty of fun playing with their friends, too.”

The spring fee is $425 per player.  The season includes at least 1 practice per week (Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. — minimizing conflicts with other high school sports teams); approximately 8 games played against other town high school travel teams in the Southwest District league; competition in the spring Connecticut Cup tournament, and participation in the WSA WIN 2011 tournament (March 19-20).

Pre-registration for the tryouts is required.  To register, click here.

For further information, contact WSA travel director Bart Shuldman:  email bcs44@optonline.net, phone or text 203-247-5037.