Nick Kelly eludes a tackler en route to a 9-yard run to score the final Staples touchdown of the day today—his second—in the fourth quarter with 6:07 remaining in the Wrecker 31-12 victory over Danbury.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples senior Mergim Trdevaj (30) greets some Wrecker cheerleaders following today’s 31-12 victory over Danbury. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Highlights of today’s Staples 31-12 victory over Danbury at Staples. Both teams wore pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lynn U. Miller and WestportNow.com photos

The Staples Lady Wreckers defeated the Darien Blue Wave 4-0 today at Wakeman Park. Turner Block netted two goals, while Abbey Lake and Ryan Kirshner (above) added a goal each. Superb play by both the Wrecker defense and Senior Goalie Jesse Ambrose thwarted any Blue Wave attack. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carlos Garcia for WestportNow.com

Ben Root splits a pair of Greenwich Cardinals in today’s Staples boys soccer match.  Root’s strong play as a defender/midfielder has helped his squad to a 7-0-2 record.  The Wreckers came from behind to beat Greenwich 3-2, and face Darien on Thursday in a crucial FCIAC match. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

Defender Jake Malowitz makes one of his many forays upfield against Greenwich. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

The Staples boys soccer team started slowly at Greenwich today. Midway through the first half, the Cardinals were up 2-0.

But the Wreckers surged back. A goal by Alex Tonsberg halved the deficit Just 50 seconds before halftime, Steve Smith bent in a direct kick, drawing his side even.

Fifteen minutes later, Dylan Hoy slammed in a rebound of his own shot. Staples’ dramatic 3-2 victory raises their record to 7-0-2.

“It’s great to know we can come back from a 2-0 deficit to win,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “That’s an important lesson for our guys.  On the other hand, I’d rather not see us have to do it.”

The Lady Wreckers of Westport’s Staples High School today defeated the Norwalk Bears 5-1 in beautiful Columbus Day weather in Norwalk. Senior Abbey Lake (above) had two goals and one assist. Junior Turner Block had two goals, and Junior Ryan Kirschner one goal. Senior Captain Abby Fagan and Senior Alexandra Weiner also tallied assists. The next game will be at home vs Darien on Friday at 4 p.m. The Lady Wreckers are now 4-3-2. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Taylor McNair has gotten a lot out of soccer.  A leader on the Staples boys team’s quest for a fourth straight FCIAC championship, and a star on the Beachside Soccer Club’s premier team, he also knows how to give back.

Taylor McNair (r) delivers 140 soccer balls to Bill Madaras, father of Nick Madaras. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

This month, the senior defender organized a “Kick for Nick” used soccer ball drive. The project honors Nick Madaras, a former Wilton High School player who, while serving in Iraq, collected used soccer balls to give to Iraqi children.

After Madaras was killed in action in 2007, his parents and friends formalized “Kick for Nick.” Balls are collected, then sent overseas. U.S. soldiers distribute them to Iraqi and Afghan youngsters.

McNair planned every aspect of the Staples “Kick for Nick” drive. He arranged for publicity, set out boxes at a varsity match, deflated the balls, then delivered them –- a total of 140—to Madaras’ grateful father, Bill, in Wilton.

The Westport Planning ad Zoning Commission tonight approved temporary lighting to be used beginning next week for PAL football practice on the P.J. Romano and Doubleday fields behind Saugatuck Elementary School. Under the approval requested by the Parks & Recreation Department, lights powered by diesel generators may be used until 8 p.m. during the week from Sept. 1 until Nov. 30. The P&Z approved a regulation change two weeks ago clearing the way for the approval. (See WestportNow Sept. 29, 2011) “This is not a want for us; this is a need,” Carmen Roda, Westport PAL’s director of youth sports, told the P&Z then. “Safety is paramount,” Roda said, adding that football is a strong contact sport with increased risks due to poor lighting when natural daylight fades after 5 p.m. during the fall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com