Match report: Staples vs. Fairfield Warde
Five days ago, the Staples soccer team sweltered in New York City. The 95-degree heat and relentless humidity wilted many players — and Martin Luther King High School provided even hotter competition. The past 10 days, in fact, were scorchers. It was a tough preseason for everyone.
It was 25 degrees cooler today for today’s FCIAC opening day match against Fairfield Warde. A light but steady rain made Loeffler Field slick, with unpredictable bounces and skids.
The visitors controlled much of the first half. Keeper Ry Cohen — who missed the pre-season matches while recovering from a broken ankle — made several keys saves, thanks to alert positioning and sure hands.
The Wreckers struck first, in the 22nd minute against the run of play. Vaughan Sealey whipped a cross to Matthew Tanzer. The midfielder — a former Development Academy player who joined the high school squad this season, with fellow Beachside teammate Austin Sholes — found Nick DiMasi. The senior striker — a reserves player last fall — powered a shot from 30 yards, for a very definitive first goal of the season.
Wilson Daniels, Lefty Penderakis and Tanzer combined well to kick off the 2nd half. Then, just 3 minutes after intermission, a series of 10 crisp passes bore fruit. Penderakis laid off to Patricio Perez Elorza. The junior cut inside, then left-footed a shot into the top right corner.
Penderakis was in clear, but his chance to raise the lead to 3-0 flew wide. Sam Liles beat 4 Eagles, in a solo display of speed and technique.
A gorgeous 40-yard blast sliced the lead to 2-1. But almost as soon as play resumed — in the 61st minute — Perez Elorza fired. The keeper bobbled the shot, and Mauricio Inglada was there to ram home the insurance strike from 2 yards.
Cohen had an excellent game in goal. He was bolstered by defenders Nick Ambrose, Gabe Baltierra and Surya Balaji, with help in front from Sholes.
With Game 1 under their belts, Staples now prepares for Danbury (Wednesday, 4 p.m., home). There are 15 matches left in the regular season — and all will be as hard-fought as this.
QUICK KICKS: Last year, Warde was Staples’ 3rd game of the season. Cohen made his first start. Down 3-0 at halftime, the Wreckers rallied for a dramatic 3-3 draw….
This year — in a change from previous seasons — home teams were their dark colors, and visitors wear white….
WWPT-FM’s broadcast of today’s match was suspended because of equipment failure.
Patricio Perez Elorza attemps — successfully — a bicycle kick. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
Sam Liles (Staples) and Mark Morataya in a footrace. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
Ry Cohen saves for Staples. Nick Ambrose (7) provides cover. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
Vaughan Sealey fights hard against Fairfield Warde. (Photo/Armelle Daniels)
