Michael Reid leads a pack of Westhill Vikings upfield today as the Staples boys soccer team lost its final regular season match 2-0. Now it’s time to gear up for the FCIAC playoffs. The Wreckers have all but sewed up the fourth seed, with a 10-4-2 record, which means they would host a quarterfinal match on Friday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School boys soccer team (Diego Alanis in front; Michael Reid, Jack Scott and Charlie Leonard backing up behind) fell 2-1 to Fairfield Ludlowe today at Loeffler Field. Joe Pravder put the hosts in the lead, banging in Patrick Beusse’s rebound, but the Falcons equalized five seconds before halftime, on a corner kick. The guests got the winning goal midway through the second period. Staples, now 10-3-2, travels to Westhill for a quick-turnaround match on Tuesday. The FCIAC playoffs begin Friday, with the Wreckers in the hunt for a home match. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

There was a special guest today at the practice of the Westport third grade fall baseball team Express—Max Popken from Westport’s Little League World Series championship 12u team.  He answered questions about the world series, ran infield practice, signed autographs and then umped a scrimmage against the Bats, another third grade team. “The boys learned a lot about playing at the higher end of the sport,” said Andrew Laskin, who arranged the visit. “Max told them about pressing on when the game was tough and always having a good attitude. The boys were blown away.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The players and head coach of the Staples varsity boys soccer team today took some time to visit the boys from the Westport Soccer Rec League (third and fourth graders). “They did a great job of talking to the boys, hanging out with them during the entire game and having a lot of fun,” said Steve Divino, 3-4 boys rec commissioner. “It was a great gesture by the team that took time of their own Saturday to make a difference in the community. Big kudos to head coach Dan Woog.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

In a see-saw game, the Staples High School football team tonight defeated Danbury 43-34 at home.

The Wreckers were behind 19-14 at the half—the first time this year—but came back with 29 points in the second half.

Staples improved to 5-1 overall and 5-0 in FCIAC play.

The Wreckers next face No. 1 New Canaan Oct. 25 at home.

The Staples boys soccer team today celebrates Steven Sobel’s goal versus Fairfield Warde as the Wreckers won 4-1. Other goals came from Jack Scott (two) and Joe Pravder. Assists came from George Kokkalis, Yousef Shahin and Graham Gudis. Brenden Price starred in goal. The Wreckers are now 10-2-2, with two games left before the FCIAC tournament begins. Staples hosts Fairfield Ludlowe on Monday (4 p.m.). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

The Staples Girls Volleyball team swept Wilton tonight at home (25-19) (25-18) (25-8) to improve 12-1 overall on the season. Pictured (l-r) are Lauren Mushro, Val Kirsh, Knox McKay, Amelia Brackett, Ariana Sherman, and Dayna Gelman. The Wreckers take on Trumbull Wednesday at 4 p.m. at home. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Daniel Gelman for WestportNow.com

Patrick Beusse’s first-ever varsity goal –- with a heart-stopping 12 seconds left in the game –-today gave the Staples boys soccer team a 3-2 win at Darien.

Charlie Leonard (r) was a dominant force for Staples today at Darien. He scored twice, en route to a 3-2 victory, and also played dynamic defense. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

Beusse’s strike, from just inside the box, came on a bang-bang play. Reserve goalkeeper Brenden Price –- playing in place of injured starter Noah Schwaeber –- blasted a 60-yard free kick.

Joe Pravder controlled it once, then found Beusse on the right side. The junior midfielder fired near post from close range, giving the Wreckers a hard-earned win.

Staples had led 2-0, on a pair of blasts by Charlie Leonard. But the Blue Wave knotted the score with 12 minutes to go, and from then on the game was a dogfight.

Today’s soccer match between Greenwich and Staples promised to be a good one. The Cardinals (10-0-1) were soaring, in first place in the FCIAC. The Wreckers (8-1-2) were in second, and playing well too.

Andrew Puchala soars high to head in Diego Alanis’s free kick at Greenwich today. His goal gave the Wreckers the lead, but they fell 4-1 to the league-leading Cardinals. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

Greenwich prevailed 4-1 at Cardinal Stadium, but it took a flurry of late goals to put it away. Andrew Puchala’s soaring header off Diego Alanis’s free kick gave the visitors the lead early in the second half, but the hosts tied it up two minutes later on a very physical play. Greenwich iced the game in the waning minutes, as Staples pushed forward.

The Wreckers got excellent defense from Puchala, George Kokkalis, James Lewis and Kenji Goto. Keeper Noah Schwaeber left the match with an injury following the tying goal. Brenden Price filled in well.

Staples –- now 8-2-2 –- travels to Darien on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. match.