Staples Girls Soccer Scores Second Straight CIAC Tournament Shut-Out
Staples Girls Soccer fans showed up in force for the Wreckers quarter-final CIAC tournament match on Saturday against Wilton.
The Wreckers continued their dominance in the CIAC state tournament with a second shut-out in as many games. This time defeating FCIAC rival Wilton on Saturday at home, Wakeman field before a large crowd that lined the fence to watch the game. Both teams defense was strong and neither was able to find the net for most of the first half until Annabel Edwards scored for Staples. The Wreckers scored again midway through the second period with Neva Mermegan scoring their third goal coming just five minutes later.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Coach Barry Beattie said, "I was really happy with the game. Wilton is a good team and played hard but the better team won the game and deserved to progress." Said Beattie "We scored 3 good goals; 2 goals and an assist from Annabel Edwards was enough to see us through to the next round. Annabel has been flying all season with 13 goals and 17 assists so I’m hoping this rich vein of form continues for two more games."
The Wreckers girls continue their quest for another state title on Wednesday night at 7:30 PM when they will take on the number 2 seed, Glastonbury at Naugatuck high school.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The girls were jubilant after another big tournament victory, as was coach Barry Beattie and assistant coach MacKenzie Pretty, below left.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Saugatuck Tradition Prevails: Al’s Angels Prepare Saugatuck Bridge Christmas Lights for 2022
Westporters Bob Caporale (left) and Al DiGuido (center) hand a strand of new LED Christmas lights to personnel of AJ Penna & Sons Construction as a team of Al’s Angels volunteers prepared the 138 year old bridge to light up the community. The team worked overnight with the assistance of the Westport Police Department closing the roadway while they looked over the bridge, checking it twice, ahead of the official lighting to be held on November 28th. DiGuido, found of Al’s Angels, and his organization have been lighting the bridge for decades in what has become an annual tradition that draws onlookers from near and far every holiday season. WestportLocal.com photo
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of rain after 4pm. Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 47. Light and variable wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Rain, mainly after 7pm. Low around 36. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Staples Wreckers Hold On to Defeat Ridgefield 14-11
Staples High School pulled out a close win last night against Ridgefield High School 14-11. The game was a defensive struggle against high powered offenses. Ridgefield held the Wreckers scoreless until the very end of the first half when Staples QB Caleb Smith rushed for 2 touchdowns providing the margin of difference for the Wreckers providing the margin of difference for the Wreckers. Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Staples defense was stalwart. A goal line stand on the opening drive holding Ridgefield to a field goal was provided an indication of how the game was going to be played from the outset. Ridgefield proved nearly as stingy. The game was played on Saturday as the scheduled game on Friday night was rained out. Fortunately the rain held off with only a brief drizzle which had no effect on game play.
Ridgefield scored first with a field goal and, despite falling behind when Staples’ Caleb Smith scored a second touchdown, they refused to give up and ran a conversion after scoring a touchdown - bringing in an attempt to enable a tie scenario with a score of 14-11. Staples intercepted in the fourth and Ridgefield answered with an interception of their own but the Staples defense held.
Penalties proved to be a problem for both schools as well. Staples also overcame an uncharacteristic 135 yards in penalties.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.