Brendan Lesch gets airborne in today’s win over West Haven. Steven Denowitz is the other Wrecker defender. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
The Staples boys soccer team erupted for three goals in less than nine minutes in the first half of today’s state tournament opener against West Haven.
That was all the Wreckers needed. The 3-0 victory vaults the Stapleites into the LL (extra large schools) second round, against Guilford. That match will be played Thursday (2 p.m.) at Staples.
Today’s scoring spree – in front of a large Loeffler Field crowd – started in the 15th minute. Jake Krosse played a long free kick to the middle. Greg Gudis calmly settled the ball, took a touch, then blasted a shot over the Blue Devil goalkeeper.
Just 35 seconds later, it was 2-0. Mikey Scott’s long throw created chaos in the penalty area, where a West Haven defender mis-headed into his own goal.
Scott created the third goal, too. This time his throw-in found the head of Steven Denowitz. The defender power-headed it home.
The reserves played much of the second half, and kept West Haven locked in their own end.
“This was a good way to start the state tournament,” said head coach Dan Woog. “But each game gets tougher. Guilford will be an excellent match.”
Staples, ranked 5th in LL, is now 17-2-1. Guilford (#12) sports a 12-3-4 mark.
