With Hurricane Irene gone, tryouts will continue Monday.
Varsity and junior varsity: 8-10 a.m., and 5-7 p.m. at Wakeman
Freshmen: 12-2 p.m. at Wakeman
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A decision on sites and times for Tuesday will be made on Monday, based on possible school closings. IF school is closed on Tuesday, the varsity/junior varsity will PROBABLY be at Wakeman, 12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. A decision regarding freshmen on Tuesday will be made later.
Posted in General news
Dylan Hoy, James Hickok and Ben Root joined parents Larry Hoy, Ned Hickok, Marshal Root and Wes Malowitz in completing the staining of the Albie Loeffler Field terrace benches.
They’re now back to their original dark, handsome hue — ready for more great crowds on The Hill.
James Hickok, Ned Hickok P'13 and Wes Malowitz P'12 prepare the terrace for 2011.
Posted in General news
Parents Larry Hoy and Ned Hickok, plus rising junior Dylan Hoy, spent several hours this week cleaning the benches and granite at the Loeffler Field terrace.
They used a pressure washer and abrasive pads. The trio also thoroughly cleaned the metal brackets underneath the benches, and washed the granite.
It was a dirty job — but necessary for the upcoming season.
Next up: applying oil. They’re waiting for 2 to 3 days of clear weather — hopefully soon.
Once the oil is applied, the benches will be much darker. The beautiful wood grain will be much more visible.
“This is one of those unnoticed tasks that are so important to our program,” said head coach Dan Woog. “No one notices the hard work that goes into keeping Loeffler Field the first-class facility that it is. The entire program owes Larry, Ned and Dylan huge thanks for their great work.
Ned Hickok P'12 (left) and Larry Hoy P'12, hard at work.
(Want to help oil the benches? Email lrh@renovatastudios.com)
Posted in General news
Rich Stein has helped the Staples soccer program in many capacities for several years. He’s now adding fitness and conditioning to his responsibilities.
Rich Stein
Rich’s soccer roots are long and deep. In 1982 he played on the Westport Soccer Association’s state champion U-14 team. An injury curtailed his soccer career, but at Staples he earned all-state status as a (very light) heavyweight.
After the University of Hartford, Rich worked in the New York advertising world. He became a certified personal trainer, and for the past 17 years has worked independently, as well as at a variety of clubs. He is also a long-time instructor at Kurt Dasbach’s Wakeman Speed Camp.
He is certified by the National Association of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise, and continues his education to keep up with the most current and innovative training methods.
Rich has coached soccer in New Canaan, and served as head coach of the Green’s Farms Academy wrestling team, as well as with Westport Little League.
Rich will assist this year’s Wrecker squad with stretching, conditioning and injury prevention.
“I am honored and excited to be on the coaching sidelines,” Rich said. “I honestly don’t mind summer coming to an end, with the knowledge that Staples soccer is here.”
“Rich will help us make much better use of the early part of training sessions,” head coach Dan Woog said. “He’s got great knowledge, he’s easy-going but very committed, and he fully embraces the values and ideals of Staples soccer.”
Posted in General news
Seth Sholes ’78 is the newest member of the Staples High School coaching staff.
The former All-State defender and Wesleyan University All-American will be the junior varsity coach this fall.
Seth Sholes
“This is not just a home run — it’s a grand slam,” said head coach Dan Woog. “Seth was a great player, with experience at a very high level. He knows the game, loves Staples and our program, and has plenty of real-world experience. The timing worked out perfectly.”
After captaining Albie Loeffler’s last Staples team — the 1977 squad that lost in the state semifinals to Danbury — Seth majored in government and international politics at Wesleyan.
He spent his junior year playing and training with Holland’s Willem II team, then captained the Cardinals as a senior.
He was invited to try out with the Portland Timbers following graduation, but the NASL soon folded. He embarked on a 26-year career on Wall Street — working with Gruss and Company, Swid Partners and, for the last 12 years, First New York Securities.
He continued playing soccer, with the Manhattan Kickers — a club filled with former Wreckers. He also coached his son and daughter, on the Bedford (NY) Soccer Club, and West Side Soccer in New York City.
Two years ago, he and his family moved back to Westport. Seth retired from First New York earlier this month, to pursue his passions. At the same time, Staples was searching for a JV coach.
“I always like hiring alumni,” Woog said. “They understand where our program has come from, and where we want to go. I think Seth will fit in superbly with our players, with freshman coach Chris O’Dell — who is also a former player — and with Kurt Dasbach and Tom Henske, who might as well be Staples grads.”
“I’m happy to be home,” Seth said.
“So am I!” Woog added.
Posted in General news
Antonio Pastor ’84 is moving to Madrid this week.
Maryanne, Antonio and Santiago Pastor.
His wife, Maryanne, is on sabbatical. The Pastors decided to leave Worcester get her closer to her research topics, “extract our 6-year-old son Santiago from his comfort zone, force him to learn Spanish for real, and hopefully make a Real Madrid supporter out of him.
In addition, Antonio will be closer to the European markets he manages for his business.
Antonio and his family will rent a 3-bedroom apartment around the corner from the Palacio Real. “We’ve got room to accommodate visitors wanting to get out to El Bernabeu to catch a match,” he says.
Antonio — who has traveled to Westport from Massachusetts for Staples games in recent years — looks forward to following the Wreckers via StaplesSoccer.com and YouTube.
Posted in Alumni
Former Staples soccer captain Trevor Lamb ’04 has been busy in China. The latest news:
Trevor Lamb
He has been accepted as an official contributor to the premier (and only) online English feed on Chinese soccer, Wild East Football. (“The Wild East” is an old euphemism for China.)
The website covers a lot of material about Chinese professional soccer. Trevor will contribute his perspectives on grassroots soccer.
To read his 1st post, click here.
Trevor is also involved in an exciting research project. Details to follow soon.
Posted in Alumni
Members of the tight-knit, FCIAC champion and state finalist 2006 team still get together whenever they can.
If it’s a soccer event, all the better.
Last night Matt Lamb, Eric Meyer and Dave Sharpe were in Philadelphia, for Juergen Klinsmann’s debut as US national team coach. The US and Mexico drew, 1-1.
The 3 former Wreckers say hello to everyone — and send best wishes for a great fall to the 2011 team.
Eric Meyer, Dave Sharpe and Matt Lamb, enjoying the festivities at Lincoln Financial Field.
Posted in Alumni
The most competitive, best-played Watermelon Cup league in history ended the same way every other one has: with USA on top. The squad — with the 2006 team at its core — has won the league every year they’ve played together.
This year, though, it wasn’t easy. Trinidad and Tobago rallied from a 2-0 deficit, forcing golden-goal overtime. Five minutes were scoreless; then, each team had to remove a player every 90 seconds. It got down to 3-v-3, when Nicky Hoberman netted the game-winner.
USA reached the finals with a hard-earned 3-2 victory over Costa Rica, while Trinidad and Tobago knocked out Mexico 5-0. But Mexico — the rising sophomore-laden side — avenged that loss, with a 3-0 victory in the consolation match.
Thanks to all 6 teams that participated this year — and congratulations to the winning USA squad: Greg Bachman, Brad Green, Nicky Hoberman, David Hoffman, Ryan Moran, Frankie Rende, Brian Wolgast and Craig Wolgast. Also on the team, but unavailable for the finals, were Brendon Cristobal, Keaton Cristobal and Ben King.
The 2011 -- and continued reigning -- champions, USA. Front row (from left): Greg Bachman, Nicky Hoberman. Rear: David Hoffman, Brian Wolgast, Craig Wolgast, Frankie Rende, Brad Green.
Posted in General news
Neil Brickley ’71 — a key defender on Staples’ 1970 state championship squad, who went on to captain the University of Connecticut men’s soccer team — will be honored by his college alma mater next month.
Neil is one of 6 honorees at the annual “Meet the Huskies” dinner. The event is Friday, September 23, 7 p.m. at the Hilton Hartford.
Neil is a civil engineer, but UConn soccer is a passion. His son Robert — also a captain — graduated last spring, but Neil’s support of the team, in areas from video to the newsletter and much, much more, predates his son’s career, and will last long beyond.
Neil is an equally avid supporter of Staples soccer. He is a frequent attendee at matches, though he lives an hour away, and donated the high-def equipment now used for taping matches.
Besides Neil, “Meet the Huskies” honorees include Chris Gbandi, one of the greatest players in UConn history who now returns as a member of the coaching staff, and Ryan Cordeiro (UConn 2004-07).
(Interested in tickets? Email dwoog@optonline.net)
