Hour Blog Hails Wreckers Heading To College

Matt Doran has given the Staples soccer program some great props.

The Norwalk Hour sports editor — who has seen his share of high school sports — shines a nice light on last fall’s state championship team in the “Hour Sports Minute” blog, highlighting the success they’ve had since November getting into college.;

Doran notes that Alan Reiter (North Carolina State University), Mike White (University of Delaware), Michael McCarthy (Washington University in St. Louis) and Matteo Marzoli (Fairfield University) are all headed to Division I schools to play soccer.

Junior Brendan Lesch — who recently verbally committed to the University of Notre Dame — will join them in 2011.

In addition, while Jack Hennessy, Andrew McNair and Mikey Fitzgerald are still undecided, but all 3 may also play college soccer.

“That’s a true mark of success if ever there was one,” Doran wrote.

“Not only is this a feather in the cap for the Staples soccer program, as if it needed any more, it says great things about Staples as a high school.”

(To read the entire Hour Sports Minute blog, click here.)

Brendan Lesch Named Norwalk Hour All-Area MVP; 7 Wreckers Make All-Area Squad

Brendan Lesch is the Norwalk Hour‘s Most Valuable Player.

This marks the 2nd year in a row that area coaches and the Hour sports staff have selected a Staples junior for the honor.  Last year, Alan Reiter was the Hour MVP.

The midfielder is joined by 6 teammates on the 12-player Hour All-Area squad:  seniors Mikey Fitzgerald, Jack Hennessy, Alan Reiter and Mike White, and juniors Greg Gudis and Mikey Scott.

Matt Doran’s in-depth profile notes Lesch’s “head-spinning goals,” work rate, passion, and ability to step up his game when it counts most.  There are quotes from Staples and opposing coaches, and teammates.  Click here for the full story.

The Hour called Fitzgerald “one of the most versatile players in the area”; said Hennessy “used his tremendous athletic ability and toughness to dominate the front of the Staples cage”; added that Reiter was “a key component to the Staples ball control attack with his strong vision and pinpoint passing,” and hailed White as “a driving force behind the success of the Wreckers.”

The paper cited Gudis’ “knack for scoring goals…tremendous drive offensively and…nice job creating turnovers on defense,” and called Scott a “speedy left-footer (who) set up a ton of goals with his hustle and determination.”

Seven is the most number of players the Wreckers have ever placed on the Hour All-Area squad.  This also marks the 3rd time in 7 years Staples has had the All-Area MVP.  In addition to Lesch and Reiter, keeper Cal Mintz earned the honor in 2003.

In addition to his on-field talents, Brendan Lesch was the best barber on the 2009 squad.

Alan Reiter And Brendan Lesch Named To All-State Team

Alan Reiter

Fans who watched the Staples soccer team this year knew they had a great midfield.  Now the rest of the state officially agrees.

Senior quad-captain Alan Reiter and junior Brendan Lesch have been named to the All-State team, as selected by the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association.  The duo were chosen based on their high rankings by FCIAC coaches.

Reiter, who was named an All-State player last year, is Staples’ 1st repeat selection since Ross McGibney in 2004 and ’05.  Lesch is a 1st-time choice.

Brendan Lesch

This is the 1st time the Wreckers have had 2 CSCA All-State picks in the same year since 1989, when Chris Mitchell (1st team) and Alex Deegan (2nd team) were chosen.  Now there is only 1 squad.

“To have 2 players chosen is quite an honor,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “To have 2 central midfielders chosen is outstanding.  It’s a position that requires talent, toughness, intelligence, poise, vision, intelligence, creativity and passion.  Alan and Brendan play very different styles, but both possess all those qualities.  I am happy for them, and proud of them.”

For a list of Wreckers’ honors through the years, click here.

6 Wreckers Compete In State Cup Finals On Sunday

The sextet of Staples soccer players will represent 3 Beachside clubs, at the U-18, U-17 and U-14 levels.  All 3 matches are against FSA.  The U-17 and U-14 contests begin at 8:30 a.m., on adjacent fields at Newington High School.  The U-18 game is set for 12:30 p.m., also at Newington.

Adam Liu is on the U-18 squad.  Alan Reiter and Brendan Lesch are gunning for the U-17 state title, while Aaron Liu, Jake Malowitz and Taylor McNair form the backline for the U-14s.

The winners continue on to regional competition in West Virginia.  Good luck to all!

Alan Reiter in action last fall.