Harry Birch (show in action earlier this year) led Staples to a 6-0 win today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
Despite a 14-day weather-induced layoff, the Staples boys soccer team roared out of the gate in their first state tournament match today.
The Wreckers trounced Norwich Free Academy 6-0, in “LL” (extra large schools) action.
That earns Staples a second round match Saturday against archrival Norwalk. Game time is 4 p.m., at Norwalk High School.
The Bears – ranked No. 1 in the state – edged Staples 1-0 during the regular season. Both goals came in the final 13 minutes.
This afternoon in Norwich, Staples looked as if the long layoff did not hurt at all. Joe Greenwald got two goals, while Harry Birch, Jordan McNair, Nate Argosh and Noah Bender netted one each.
Assists came from Greg Shikowitz, Jack Scott, Joe Pravder, Yousef Shahin and Sam Koenig.
James Hickok and Noah Schwaeber combined for the shutout.
“I had no idea how our guys would react to two weeks off,” said head coach Dan Woog. “But they came out with focus and ferocity. And they lived to fight another day. We always said we wanted another shot at Norwalk. Now we’ve got it.”
