The Bridegport playing field conditions were muddy and the Staples High School varsity football team lost quarterback Brendan Pacilio with a sprained ankle, but the Wreckers managed to shut out Harding 40-0 today to improve to 6-0 on the season.

“I’m so proud of our kids,” said Coach Marce Petroccio. “They overcame a lot of adversity today with the rain, the field conditions, (Ryan) Burke being out, and then Pacilio getting injured.

“We played hard on both offense and defense and Keith Gelman deserves a lot of credit for how he handled the ball today.”

Backup quarterback Gelman aided by a strong defense managed to produce 16 points on two turnovers and a safety. Senior halfback Matt Kelly rushed for 123 yards on 11 carries. Next up: Ludlowe at Fairfield on Friday at 7 p.m.

In its best team effort of the season, the Staples High School girls varsity soccer team today stunned FCIAC powerhouse St. Joseph of Trumbull 1-0 at Loeffler Field.
The Lady Wreckers improved to 7-5-1 on the season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Pam Moss for WestportNow.com

The Lady Wreckers, who improved to 7-5-1 on the season, were led by sophomore Shannon Lesch, the (Wo)Man of the Match.

The lone goal of the game came when Abbey Lake received a pass at the top of the penalty area and drew two defenders before slipping a beautifully timed pass to Jaclyn Katz.

Katz received the pass with one touch and then beat the St. Joe’s keeper to the lower left corner for the game winner. 

Staples midfielderAlan Reiter controls the ball against St. Joseph. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
A stunning burst of three goals within 58 seconds—and seven inside of 14 minutes—paced Westport’s Staples High School boys soccer team to a 9-0 victory today over St. Joseph of Trumbull at Loeffler Field.

The win upped the Wreckers’ record to 13-0 in the FCIAC (13-1 overall).  Staples’ final home game of the regular season is Monday (4 p.m., vs. Fairfield Warde).

The Westporters will have the home field advantage for the FCIAC playoffs as well, which begin next Friday.

Mike White led the scoring parade with three goals. Brendan Lesch and Greg Gudis netted two each, while Luke Yeager and Justin Hawrysh added solo efforts.

The Lady Wreckers varsity soccer team of Westport’s Staples High School tonight edged Norwalk’s Brien McMahon High School 3-2 on a late goal by sophomore Abbey Lake.

Despite falling behind 2-0 early in the match, Staples battled back with first half goals by senior Captain Julia Byrne and by Lake. 

Lake would get the game winner with 3:19 to play in the game.

The Lady Wreckers take on perennial FCIAC powerhouse, St. Josephs, on Friday at 4 p.m. at Loeffler Field.

Goalkeeper Michael McCarthy was the man of the match today for the Staples High School boys soccer team. The senior goalkeeper turned away several sure goals in the first half, spurring the Wreckers on to a 3-0 shutout in Greenwich.
Staples Goalkeeper Michael McCarthy comes out strongly to save, in the first half at Greenwich. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

Staples is now 12-0-0 in FCIAC play (12-1-0 overall). The Cardinals, who entered the game with only one loss, drop to 8-2-2.

Only three regular season matches remain, before FCIAC and state tournament play. The Westporters host St. Joseph Thursday (4 p.m., Loeffler Field).

The first goal, midway through the opening half, began with Matteo Marzoli’s 50-yard free kick. Brendan Lesch, positioned perfectly in the box, back-headed Marzoli’s long ball past the keeper.

Westport’s Staples High School varsity football team rolled over Brien McMahon of Norwalk 45-0 today at home.

The Wreckers improved to 5-0 on the season while McMahon dropped to 2-3.

Staples next meets Harding of Bridgeport on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Harding.

The Staples boys soccer team won its biggest game of the year tonight, shutting out Ridgefield 2-0 at always-tough Tiger Hollow, the Tiger’s home field.

The match pitted the FCIAC’s top two teams. Staples’ victory gives them a perfect 11-0 league mark (11-1 overall), while Ridgefield drops to 9-2. 

The Wreckers’ next test is Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Greenwich—against the FCIAC’s third-place squad.

The Westporters’ first goal came less than seven minutes in. Greg Gudis’s hard tackle and Matteo Marzoli’s seeing-eye pass sent Mikey Scott in alone on the keeper. Scott kept his poise, and confidently finished.

Alan Reiter, Mike White and Nick Cion all scored, as the Staples High School boys soccer team won its 10th game of the year today.  The Wreckers shut out Wilton 3-0, at Loeffler Field.
Steven Denowitz concentrates completely as he races upfield against Wilton. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lisa Krosse for WestportNow.com

Mikey Scott, Matteo Marzoli and Court Lake assisted on the goals.

The Warriors had just knocked off previously undefeated Ridgefield, but Staples was in control for much of the match.

The Wreckers – now 10-0-0 in FCIAC play (10-1-0 overall) face their toughest test of the year on Friday. They travel to Ridgefield, for a 6 p.m. match against the always tough, 2nd-place Tigers.

The undefeated football team at Westport’s Staples High School took to the field for practice after school Tuesday. The Wreckers, 4-0 on the season, take on Norwalk’s McMahon High School (2-2) Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at home. Staples rates No. 6 on the statewide media poll compiled by the New Haven Register and No. 4 in the coaches’ poll as compiled by The Day of New London. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School Lady Wreckers soccer team today won a 3-2 thriller against the Darien Blue Wave at Loeffler Field.

The win puts Staples one game over .500 for the season as the stretch run for the FCIAC tournament and state tournament begins. 

Staples goals were by Jaclyn Katz (2) and Kate Burke.

Interim Head Coach Chris Meinke was thrilled with the result. “I’m looking forward to a great week of practice as we prepare for New Canaan next Monday,” he said.