Jake Malowitz epitomized the Staples tough defense. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
The Staples boys soccer team gutted out a 2-1 victory tonight over Fairfield Warde in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) championship at Norwalk High School.
The victory gave the Wreckers their third straight league championship, and 27th in 49 years. It was Staples’ first three-peat since 1979-81.
The win did not came easily. Warde – playing in their first FCIAC championship ever – was a strong, tough team.
The first half was scoreless. The Wreckers got on the board just 26 seconds into the second half. Goalkeeper James Hickok outletted to Brendan Lesch, who headed forward. Greg Gudis picked up the ball 40 yards out, and raced to goal. He powered a shot in, low and hard.
The Mustangs answered just 72 seconds later, however, on a blast by Taylor Rosenblum.
Staples went right back to work. Twelve minutes after that, Mikey Scott took a short throw to Jake Krosse. Krosse’s shot was fumbled by the keeper. Lorenz Esposito could not finish the rebound, but Lesch picked up the loose ball, turned and fired.
The Wrecker defense was tested severely in the final 15 minutes. Sean Gallagher, Frankie Bergonzi, Jake Malowitz, Steven Denowitz and Court Lake were equal to the task.
The man of the final 15 minutes, though, was Hickok. The sophomore goalie came up big several times. His best save came with three minutes to go, as he parried an arcing shot off the crossbar.
“There are no words to describe how proud I am,” head coach Dan Woog said.
“Our seniors have accomplished something tremendous over the past three years – and they’ve gotten superb support from our underclassmen.
“We told them they had a chance to write a great chapter in the Staples soccer history book, and they responded with passion and pride.”
The Wreckers are also defending state champions. They open their defense of the LL”(extra large schools) title on Monday, 2 p.m. at home. Their opponent will be announced Friday.
Congratulations to a great team….lead by a great coach.
And, thank you for making Westport proud.
Now….on to the State’s.