Strong attacking, smart midfield play and stellar defense powered Westport’s Staples High School boys soccer team to a 5-0 win today over Stamford’s Westhill High School in the FCIAC quarterfinals.
Mike White celebrates Mikey Fitzgerald’s goal against Westill in the FCIAC quarterfinals. Mikey Scott races over to join in. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com
The solid victory advances the Wreckers to the league semifinals. They will face Greenwich—3-1 winners over Trumbullon Monday at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Match time is 5 p.m.
The first goal, 13 minutes in, began with Sean Gallagher in the back. Mikey Scott then raced into the corner, and laced a cross through the box that Brendan Lesch power-headed in.
In the 33rd minutem Scott’s cross and Alan Reiter’s shot—saved off the line-initiated a goalmouth scramble. Mikey Fitzgerald emerged with the ball, and fed Mike White for a tap-in goal.
The Wreckers got one more before halftime. Selfless passing by Gallagher and Matteo Marzoli sprung Greg Gudis for the strike.
In the 52nd minute Jack Hennessy’s long cross found Fitzgerald. The attack-minded central defender side-volleyed in a shot.
Six minutes later, Marzoli’s strong work near the goal set up Gudis, for his second tally of the day.
All 26 Wreckers played, and Connor Walsh, in his varsity goalkeeping debut, made a nice save to preserve the shutout.
“This was a nice one,” said head coach Dan Woog.
“We shook off our game two nights ago against Central, and got a good result against a well-coached team.
A Friday afternoon in the fall, in front of a big home crowd—our guys are pleased. But they also know they’ll have their hands full on Monday.”
