Ridgefield broke open a tight game with two goals midway through the second half tonight. The unbeaten Tigers then added three more as the Staples boys soccer team pushed forward, downing the Wreckers 5-0.

Staples, now 6-3-2, remains in the hunt for an FCIAC berth, with four games remaining.  The Wreckers return to action Saturday, for a 10 a.m. must-win contest in Norwalk against the Bears.

“For 60 minutes, it was a nail-biting game,” said head coach Dan Woog. “We had our chances; our defense was excellent, and Ridgefield counterattacked well.  Then they hammered us. 

“But I’m betting our guys will bounce back just as generations of Staples teams have done.”

The Staples boys soccer team outshot Wilton 28-2 today, but the Warriors’ defense held tight, and the nail-biting match ended in a 0-0 draw.

For the Wreckers, now 6-2-2, their second consecutive tie was frustrating. But that’s nothing compared to Wilton, which tied for the seventh time this season. 

Staples’ Mike White had the best scoring opportunity. Russell Oost-Lievense, Mike White and Alex Gendell also came close.

The Wreckers travel to undefeated Ridgefield on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match.

Staples quad-captain quarterback Mike Samela runs the ball today, avoiding the tackle by Ridgefield tri-captain Jack Simonson. Samela threw all three of today’s touchdowns for Staples, resulting in a 20-7 victory. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Zak Smolen for WestportNow.com

Staples senior Nicolas Van Vlamerthygne sacks Ridgefield quarterback junior Matt White during today’s homecoming game at Staples. The Wreckers defeated the Tigers 20-7 to improve to 3-0 on the season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Zak Smolen for WestportNow.com

Staples senior Colin O’Shea hauls in a 19-yard pass from quarterback Mike Samela to score the first Wrecker touchdown in the first quarter of today’s homecoming game against the Ridgefield Tigers. The acrobatic reception was the first of three touchdowns scored by O’Shea in the 20-7 win. The Wreckers, who improved to 3-0 on the season, led 13-0 at the half. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples senior Colin O’Shea scores the first Wrecker touchdown in the first quarter of today’s game against Ridgefield at Staples. He ended up scoring all three Wrecker touchdowns in the 20-7 victory.The 3 p.m. homecoming game was played in summer-like weather with the temperature in the 80s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Wrecker Liam Bohonnon concentrates intently as he drives past his New Canaan defender today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
The Staples boys soccer team tied New Canaan 0-0 today in a defensive battle. New Canaan owned the first half, but the Wreckers came back after intermission to outshoot the Rams 11-3. 

Staples even fired a shot at the final buzzer, but to no avail.

“It was a fair result,” said head coach Dan Woog. “We always have great matches with New Canaan, and today no one got the break that decides a match like this.”

Staples, now 6-2-1, hosts Wilton on Monday. The Columbus Day affair begins at 4:15 p.m.  It will be preceded at 2:30 p.m. by a dedication ceremony for a garden honoring the late Sharon Dobbs, a longtime soccer volunteer, at the base of the Loeffler Field scoreboard.

Wrecker Jackson Lesser (correct) helped today’s victory. Carl McNair for WestportNow.comWestport’s Staples High School Wreckers raised their record to 6-2, with a 2-0 whitewashing of Fairfield Warde today at Loeffler Field.

The win was keyed by goals from Andrew McNair (a header from Jackson Lesser’s throw-in), and Brendan Lesch (from Alan Reiter and Russell Oost-Lievense). 

Allowing no shots on goal, Staples’ defense was keyed by Mike Smith and Frankie Rende.

The Wreckers host New Canaan Thursday at 4 p.m. at Loeffler Field at Staples in a key FCIAC match up.