Staples vs. Norwalk (Game Report)
Less than 24 hours after a historic come-from-behind 4-3 win at Ridgefield, the Wreckers took the field against another worthy opponent.
For the 2nd time in 2 days, they played away, at night. This time the foe was Norwalk. The Bears were 5-0-0, and they too had played the night before. A man down after their keeper was red-carded, they had beaten Stamford 1-0 on a goal with 12 minutes to play.
Tonight marked the debut of Norwalk keeper Tyler Dalton. The junior captain was thought to be lost for the entire season with a back injury, but was cleared to play this afternoon.
He misjudged 1 or 2 crosses — not surprising, given this was his 1st match in a year — but was very solid close in. His trademark quick punts sparked the Bear offense. Dalton was aided by Norwalk’s 5-man defense, which kept Staples from penetrating inside the box.
But the Wreckers’ short-passing game was on. Building on last night’s 2nd half at Ridgefield, Staples worked the ball well all over the field. They lost midfielder and tri-captain Michael Reid after about 20 minutes, when he aggravated an injury suffered last night, but his brother — sophomore Daniel Reid — filled in admirably in the center.
With defenders Andrew Puchala, Josh Berman, Gabe Pensak and Kenji Goto stepping well; the Reids and Patrick Beusse laying off nicely; Graham Gudis, Aidan Wisher and Denzel Robinson working the flanks, and Nate Argosh, Daniel Perez Elorza, Daniel Brill, Sebastian Wick and Luca Cocito applying pressure up top, the Wreckers had plenty of spells of strong soccer. Norwalk sprayed balls over the top, but did not threaten inside the box either.
The game seemed destined to end a scoreless tie — a fair result. Suddenly, with just 11 minutes to go, the Wreckers’ keeper caught a high back pass from a defender. The Bears were awarded an indirect kick in the area — nearly dead center. Leading scorer Jose Canahui converted into the far corner.
Staples refused to die. Two minutes later Dalton saved a free kick. Nine minutes later, the Bears had a very unlikely win.
“This is just a bump in the road,” head coach Dan Woog told his team. “The scoreboard shows a loss. But it doesn’t show your heart, your guts and your brains. Those will take you very far — and the scoreboard will show those results.”
The blue-and-whites have a week to rest, heal, and prepare for the tests ahead. Their next contest is a week from today, at home against New Canaan. FINAL SCORE: Norwalk 1, Staples 0. SEASON RECORD: 3-2-1.
QUICK KICKS: Staples led in shots, 6-5. Each team had 3 corner kicks….
The junior varsity tied Norwalk 1-1. The Bears scored 1st, on a cross from the sideline. Staples equalized on a header by Stephen Rowland, off a free kick by Matteo Broccolo. Danny Jersey (defender), Kenny Brill (midfield) and Teddy Lawrence (forward) starred for the Wreckers.
Click here for Dave Ruden’s report on the Staples-Danbury match (scroll down)….
Yesterday’s opponent, Ridgefield, is the defending state “LL” champion. Norwalk won the title the year before.
Aidan Wisher was a workhorse on the right side against Norwalk. (Photo/Kim Lake)
When Michael Reid left the Norwalk match with an injury, younger brother Daniel Reid filled in at central midfield. (Photo/Kim Lake)
The Wreckers gather for a huddle, in mid-Norwalk match. (Photo/Kim Lake)
