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.
The Wreckers were playing without three starting defenders (injuries). But Foster Goldberg, George Kokkalis, James Lewis, Kenji Goto and Yousef Shahin stepped up, setting the stage for the heroics by Leonard, Pravder and Beusse.
Price was strong in the nets for Staples, which raises its record to 9-2-2. The blue-and-whites host Fairfield Warde on Thursday (4 p.m.).
