Brendon Cristobal’s goal lifted the Staples boys soccer team to a 1-0 win today over Manchester in the first round of the state “LL” (extra large schools) tournament. 
Staples tri-captain Matt Lamb works his magic in today’s 1-0 Wreckers state tournament win over Manchester. The victory advances them to Wednesday’s second-round match (2 p.m., home). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com

The Wreckers, now 15-1-3, face Xavier-Middletown on Wednesday (2 p.m.), in second round action at Staples’ Loeffler Field.

Cristobal won a hard tackle, drove to the corner, then powered through several defenders before slotting his shot home in the 31st minute.

The Wrecker defense of Nicky Hoberman, Ben King, Craig Wolgast, Alex Gendell and Greg Bachman, plus goalkeeper Dave Sharpe, then did their job, ensuring Staples’ sixth consecutive shutout.

Hall of Famer Bob Feller, a 20-year veteran of the Cleveland Indians (1936-56) visited Westport’s Legends of the Game on Post Road East today for an autograph session. Feller, who turns 78 next Friday, pitched three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters in his career. He is seen offering advice to Peter Bradshaw (l), 10, of Westport, with his grandfather, Nicholas Accuso, of Brooklyn. N.Y. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples senior Andrew Kennedy gets set to haul in a pass from R. J. Marsilio in today’s home game against Stamford. The Wreckers easily overpowered the Black Knights 42-12 to improve to 7-0 on the season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A Stamford tackler brings down Staples senior Kenny Lozyniak during today’s Wrecker 42-12 home win over the Black Knights. Staples meets New Canaan at home next Saturday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Staples defense causes a Stamford player to lose control of the ball during today’s game against Stamford. Stamford managed to recover the ball on the play but the Black Knights fell to the Wreckers 42-12. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples senior Alex Lebow tosses to R. J. Marsilio to score in the closing minutes of the first half of today’s game against Stamford. “We’ve been working on that play for a long time,” Coach Marce Petroccio said after the game. “The kids executed it perfectly.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Betsey Lebow for WestportNow.com

Russell Oost-Lievense, who scored the only goal in Staples’ 1-0 victory today over Brien McMahon, puts a move on a Senator defender. Staples is in first place in the FCIAC. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Amy Lamb for WestportNow.com
A pesky Brien McMahon team nipped at Staples’ heels today, but a second-half goal propelled the Wreckers to a 1-0 home victory.

The win raises the boys soccer team’s record to 12-1-2, good for first place in the FCIAC. More importantly, it clinches one of four spots in the FCIAC tournament, which begins next Wednesday. One regular season game remains: Monday, 3 p.m. vs. Danbury in Westport. 

The lone goal was a pretty one. In the 50th minute Preston Hirten won a hard tackle at midfield. He fed Matt Lamb, with his back to the goal in the center circle. The tri-captain turned 180 degrees, and found Russell Oost-Lievenze. The junior blazed forward, beating both a defender and the keeper, before finishing low and hard.

“We needed a game like this,” said head coach Dan Woog. “We had to be tested, to see what it’s like to dig deep and win a 1-goal game. This was an important test for us—and it’s nice to see we passed the test.”