George Robbins ’90 Returns To Soccer — In Goal

The former striker — a Duke and Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management grad, whose sister-in-law Barbara Robbins teaches English at Staples — has spent the last year in Montreal, as a plant manager for Electrolux.

Here’s his account of his spectacular return to the game:

My wife, baby daughter and I were walking past a soccer field in Parc Jeanne Mance last weekend.  We met a nice guy named Cesar, who said his team was playing next weekend and desperately needed a goalkeeper.  Long story short — yesterday I played goalie in my first soccer game in 10 years.

We won our first game of the season!  So despite my age, lack of athleticism and generally poor fitness level — yes, I was winded just playing goalie — I am now the starting netminder for the “Once Amigos” Peruvian futbol team (average height 5-1 … now 5-2 with me on the team).

The Robbinses move soon to Memphis.  In the meantime:  Go, Once Amigos!

George Robbins looks like he's played goal his entire life. He definitely has the wingspan.

Max Hoberman Paces 5K Runners; Wreckers Raise Over $2,000 For Hole In Wall Gang

Max Hoberman roared to a 19:04 finish in yesterday’s Stratton Faxon 5K race in Fairfield.  He placed 21st overall — out of 1,037 runners — and was the 1st Westporter to finish.

Rising sophomore Diego Alanis was the only Staples soccer player to run this morning’s Stratton Faxon half-marathon.  He covered the 13.1 miles in a very speedy 1:35.

Max Hoberman

The 5K and half-marathon events — fundraisers for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp — drew 8 Staples soccer players.  Another 5 raised money for the organization, which helps youngsters with cancer and other serious illnesses.  Each player pledged to raise at least $250; half of the money came from the generous contribution of Jay Katz ’87.

More than 40 Westport residents raced in the 5K — and members of the Staples soccer program took the 1st 7 Westport places.  Right behind Hoberman was James Hickok (39th overall, 20:26).

They were followed by Andreas Refvik (42nd, 20:31); Jake Malowitz (50th, 20:50); Tucker Rizzi (55th, 21:04); Taylor McNair (61st, 21:11) and Roscoe Brown (80th, 21:46).

Also running:  Julien Delepine, volunteer freshman assistant coach.  He paced Refvik, and finished 41st (20:31).

Hoberman — a member of Staples’ indoor and outdoor track teams — pronounced the course “tough.”

Not running, but also raising funds for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp:  Daniel Boyce, Sebo Hood, Jay Kaplan, Eric Pan and Jack Scott.

Congratulations to all who participated — and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp adds its special heartfelt thanks!

Tom Henske, Todd Coleman ’84, Chris Meinke ’05 Star In UN Day Game

With Tom Henske tending goal, Todd Coleman ’84 helping run the show and Chris Meinke ’05 nailing a penalty kick, the Westport team tied a United Nations side 2-2 yesterday.

The event — the annual jUNe Day game — has been a Westport tradition for many years.

Rising senior Ben Root served as a linesman.

The Westport jUNe Day team. Chris Meinke is in the front row, kneeling at far left. Tom Henske is the goalkeeper, in the front row; Todd Coleman is next to him, on the right.

Mikey Scott Named Inklings’ Athlete Of The Year

Mikey Scott added 1 more honor to the FCIAC soccer championship, ski team captaincy and All-State baseball selection he amassed this year.  The University of Michigan-bound senior was named Male Athlete of the Year by Inklings, the Staples newspaper.

Mikey Scott 3-peated as FCIAC champion -- and starred in 3 varsity sports this year. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Ryder Chasin’s Inklings story begins with Scott’s entry into the FCIAC soccer semifinal match, after 2 weeks on the bench with 35 stitches in his head.  Scott entered the scoreless game 5 minutes before halftime.  His throw-in — with 30 seconds to go on the clock — was headed home by Frankie Bergonzi.  The goal sparked the Wreckers to victory.

Winning the FCIAC crown this year — Scott’s 3rd in a row — “leaves a fantastic lasting impression of my soccer career at Staples.  I’m just thankful to be a part of the Staples soccer dynasty,” he told Chasin.

Staples head coach Dan Woog called Scott “a great young man.  More than just about anyone, Mikey was about to maximize his strengths and negate his weaknesses.  In the process — thanks to his always-positive personality — he brought everyone together.”

Scott thanked all his coached — including freshman and JV — along with his teammates — for his superb 4 years at Staples.  “I couldn’t be happier with the group of friends I made through sports,” he said.  “I plan to keep those bonds forever.”

2nd Annual Preston Hirten Weekend Planned

Last July, the many friends of Preston Hirten ’07 — members of his 2006 state finalist squad, University of Mary Washington teammates, and current Wreckers who knew and admired him — gathered in Westport for a weekend of soccer, swimming, and remembering the hard-working athlete who touched everyone.

Preston Hirten

This year — from July 8-10 — the group will gather again.

Matt Lamb ’07 — a Staples and Mary Washington teammate — and Dave Sharpe ’07 are hard at work planning the event.  There will again be round-robin soccer at Wakeman (Saturday, July 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), a cookout and more.

For details, join the Facebook group — search Events for “Preston Hirten Memorial Weekend.”

Sam Bender Wins $5,000 Scholarship

Sam Bender — the talented, creative videographer whose work put Staples soccer on the YouTube map — is the 1st recipient of the Dan Woog Dedication Award.

The $5,000 scholarship — presented by the Top of the Hill Team and Gudis Family Foundation — is given to an “outstanding student who has given back to Staples boys soccer with the same dedication and enthusiasm that Dan has exhibited to Staples for decades.”

Sam Bender

For 2 years, the award letter said,  “your creativity, passion and attention to detail have brought Staples Soccer international notice.  Sam, you were always unselfish, and dedicated a significant amount of your time with helping the seniors build college highlight tapes, and supplying the coaches with game tape.

“You have consistently gone over and above the call of duty, and it will be very difficult to replace your professionalism, responsibility and passion.  You were an important part of the Staples boys soccer program, and many players appreciate all of your efforts.”

Head coach Dan Woog said, “I am honored and humbled to have an award presented in my name.  And I am particularly proud that Sam is the 1st winner.  He epitomizes all that is good about our program — and he was as important a member of our team as any player who took the field.”

Top of the Hill Team member Dan Donovan commented:

We should thank Sam for all he has done for the program.  When we thought of this idea a couple of years ago, who would have considered the life of its own that it would take on?

It all goes down to Sam’s dedication and creativity.  Really great stuff that I enjoy watching, especially when I can’t get to games.  My teammates, now 30 years removed from high school, look forward to seeing the game highlights from all parts of the country.

My young sons, who hope to wear the blue and white one day, also watch every clip, over and over.  Sam’s worked has touched generations of Staples graduates, and Staples graduates to come.

Sam will enter Emerson College’s nationally renowned communications program in the fall.

Sean Gallagher Repeats As New England Track Champion; Walker Marsh 3rd

It’s always difficult for a champion to repeat.  But Sean Gallagher — and his same 3 teammates — retained their New England 4×400 relay title yesterday, in Burlington, Vermont.

Gallagher ran the anchor leg.  Raphael Ray, Jon Heil and Jack Roche took it from there.  Their 3:19.26 mark eclipsed their own winning time of 3:19.43 last spring, and was more than 1 second faster than runner-up Trumbull High (3:20.35).  Interestingly, one of the Golden Eagle runners — junior Keith Bond — is also an FCIAC soccer player.

Gallagher, Ray and Roche graduate next week.  Heil is a junior.

Sophomore Walker Marsh joined Gallagher, Roche and sophomore Henry Wynne in the 4×800 relay.  The Wreckers placed 3rd in New England, in 7:50.55.

The 4x400 team (from left to right): Henry Wynne, Jack Roche, Walker Marsh, Sean Gallagher.

7 Wreckers Head To Regionals

Seven Staples soccer players are on 3 Beachside Soccer Club teams that won state premier cup championships today.  All head to the US Youth Soccer Region I tournament next month, in Pennsylvania.

Dylan Evans and Ben Root’s U-17 team trailed FSA 3-1 with 15 minutes to go.  They rallied to tie.  Then — after a scoreless overtime — they won 5-4 on penalty kicks.

Aaron Liu, Jake Malowitz and Taylor McNair are defenders on Beachside’s U-16 side.  They battled FSA to a 0-0 draw in regulation.  Beachside scored 1st in overtime, but FSA drew even on a penalty kick.  The game also went to penalties; again Beachside won 5-4.  Malowitz converted his shot.

The U-15′s, with Diego Alanis and Harry Birch, won 7-1 over FSA.

Congratulations to all — good luck at regionals!

Mikey Scott Earns All-State Baseball Honors

Mikey Scott capped off a superb senior baseball season by being named to the class LL All-State team.

Taking over 2nd base for former soccer star Jack Hennessy, Mikey had a breakout year.  He batted .509; drove in 20 runs; had 6 doubles, 3 triples and 2 home runs, and added 14 stolen bases.

The Wreckers beat Danbury for the FCIAC championship — their 3rd title in 4 years — before falling 6-4 to the same Hatter squad in the 2nd round of the LL state tournament.

Mikey Scott

6-v-6 Watermelon Cup Sign-Ups Open Now

Sign-ups for the annual Watermelon Cup 6-v-6 league are underway.  All high school and college students — as well alumni and friends — are invited to play.

Two games will be held each Wednesday (6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.) at Long Lots.  The season runs from June 29 through August 10.

Registration closes Thursday, June 10.  Please do not sign up if you will be available for half or less of the dates.

To sign up, email dwoog@optonline.net.  Teams will be announced via StaplesSoccer.com, and email, after June 15.