Staples Boys Soccer Scores Another Win, 1-0 Over Fairfield Warde
Staples boys' soccer delivered a commanding performance against Fairfield Warde on Saturday, controlling the game from start to finish and ultimately securing a 1-0 victory.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
From the opening whistle, the Wreckers dictated the tempo, dominating possession and keeping Warde pinned in their own half for long stretches. Despite creating multiple chances, Staples struggled to find the back of the net, with shots either missing just wide or being stopped by the Warde goalkeeper.
But the team stayed calm and composed, continuing to move the ball with purpose and press high. The breakthrough finally came in the second half, when Ford Epstein found space in the box and coolly finished to give Staples the lead they had been pushing for all game.
Coach Liam Witham, who is Wreckers Boys Soccer’s new coach in his first season told WestportLocalPress, “It was one of those games where we felt in control but just couldn’t get the goal early,” said head coach Liam Witham. “The boys didn’t panic they stayed focused and calm even with all the noise. We kept playing our game, and eventually got the result.”
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Wreckers faithful filled the stands, anxiously awaiting their boys to score a goal. At the half, the match was still scoreless.
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The back line was quality throughout, limiting Warde’s chances to one off target shot and ensuring a clean sheet for Jack D’More With the win, Staples improves to 8-2-0 continuing to improve from last year’s record.
Warde’s goalkeeper can only watch as Ford Epstein’s shot on goal sails past with just 4 minutes remaining in the game.
The Wreckers celebrate their score, feeling confident that they can continue to hold Ward scoreless to secure the win.
The Wreckers continued their winning streak against Fairfield with a 3-0 victory over Fairfield Ludlow on Monday, bring their overall record to an impressive 9 wins with only 2 losses. Come and cheer on the team on Senior Day, Friday, October 3rd when they take on Trumbull at 4:00 on Wakeman turf field.
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The stands come to their feet after the long wait, cheering what they hoped would be another Wrecker victory. Four minutes later their hopes would be realized.
Wreckers Romp In Last Week’s Home Opener
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The Staples Wreckers are off to a great start this season with a victory in their season opener followed by an emphatic win over Stamford High last Friday.
Coach Matty Jacowleff spoke with WestportLocalPress and described the great game this way:
Emphasis this week was on executing our passing game after a week where we resorted to the ground game to limit possessions in a win over Glastonbury. We were extremely effective through the air throwing for 239 yards on just 12 attempts.
Nick Weil had a tremendous game going 9/12 for 239 yards 4 TD while also rushing for a touchdown. Weil had a perfect passer rating of 156.3.
Our defense again was lights out allowing negative 8 rush yards. The special teams unit was fantastic blocking a punt and a field goal.
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Coach Jacowleff continued, “It was an honor playing in front of a sold out crowd of our community. It was a dream come true for so many of the players on our team who grew up coming to games and dreaming of becoming a Staples Football player.”
“Nick Weil showcased his tremendous talent both passing and rushing the football.”
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“Our offensive line has done a great job setting the table for our entire offense this year. The unit is yet to allow a sack and has given Nick precious time to get the ball out to our skilled receivers.”
“Coach Connors and Coach Philpott have worked their magic again getting our defense to a place where we feel like we can dictate the pace of the game. We are looking for special teams to remain a big advantage for us. Our kicking game, led by Mickey Ross, has continued to pin our opponents down on their side of the 50, forcing them to try to march the length of the field.”
Coach Matty Jacowleff concluded by telling us, “We are thrilled to welcome West Haven back for what should be another great installment in our rivalry. We are going to need the entire town of Westport to show up again and prove that Staples Stadium is the toughest environment in the state to play in.”
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The Wreckers faithful continue to fill the stands as they do every home game, always keeping the energy level high, and always creating a photo-op!
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Always using their imagination, the student section stated off the night covering each other with baby powder before switching to a torrent of bubbles from some industrial appearing bubble gun. By the time they were through a good shower seemed like a great idea.
When it comes to cheering on the Wreckers on a Friday night, the crowd of fans never miss an opportunity to get the attention of anyone pointing a camera or a phone. Bob the wreckers mascot always finds the little fans who are delighted to share a high five.
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The Staples Cheerleaders always give 110% at halftime whether the team is ahead or not. They athletic ability is on par with the team and they always thrill the crowd with great choreography and spectacular arial routines.
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In what may become a signature Staples Cheerleader move, one girl is hoisted about the squared and flipped back and forth a few times before the move is repeated with another girl, clearly confident in her team’s ability to make the move to perfection.
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Sherwood Island Friends Host Annual Shorefest
Guest arriving to enjoy the Friends Of Sherwood Island’s State Park’s annual ShoreFest on September 5th.. There was a good turnout for the event, and this year, a total of 133 tickets were sold.
Story by Piper Salik, photos by J.C. Martin, For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The fundraiser raises money for preserving the scarce coastal space in Fairfield County. It also goes to restore any trees lost during storms. Money is also used to support Nature Center programs, exhibits, and summer interns.
As another addition to the event, vendors sold eye-catching items and experiences. Captain Blake’s four-hour fishing charter for two was valued at $600, a tour by an animal ambassador at Wakeman Town Farms and two hours of bowling for eight kids at Bowlero and Arcade. Other valuable items, such as the framed Yankees 1978 World Series Photo signed by the winning players, including Reggie Jackson, were sold. A variety of gift cards give giveaways from local restaurants like Nomade, Spotted Horse and Little Barn.
Story by Piper Salik, photos by J.C. Martin, For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Performer John Lamb lightened the event up with songs on his keyboard. Westfair Fish and Chips also did catering. A variety of seafood and drinks were served at the event. The annual fest is a fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park. Other sponsors consisted of Culta and Green Thumb Industries.
This year, a total of 133 tickets were sold to the event. 122 consisted of adults and 11 were children 12 and under. The Sherwood Island State Park provides hands-on environmental education to hundreds of young students. The State Park gets over 350,000 visitors to the Gateway waterfront each year.
Event guests were treated not only to great food and music, but a spectacular sunset and a bit later, a brilliant full moon.
Staples Girls Soccer Wins Again, With 1-0 Shutout At Wilton
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Above, right goalkeeper Evelyn Bory with yet another save, letting nothing get by her to seal the shutout victory for the Wreckers.
One look at Coach Beatie’s face at the half told the story pretty clearly. His team was not performing like they were capable of, and the 0-0 scoreboard confirmed that conclusion. The girls got the message and stepped it up in the second half.
Coach Beattie told WestportLocalPress, “It was a pretty dominant game through the first half and the majority of second half. In possession we were very much in control but we didn’t create as many clear chances as we’d have liked given the amount of possession.” We had two good chances in the first half (Neave Mulvey & Alexa Van Aken) but missed them both.
Beattie said, “The second half we came out with way more fire and Wilton couldn’t live with it. Our high pressure paid off with a great goal from Addie Talbott who dribbled around the keeper to score after an assist by Emme Dorfman on the wing.”
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With about 3 mins to go, momentum swung to Wilton and they had 3 great shots on goal but Evelyn Bory was amazing and stopped all of them for a well deserved shutout.
Stples next faces Bridgeport Central at home, on Wakeman field B, Thursday September 25, at 4:00 PM.
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