WESTPORT — For the Staples boys soccer team, success this year has come by playing a confident, possession-style game, patiently drawing opponents in and then lancing them with opportunistic strikes.

Friday was not one of those days.

Fairfield Warde rode a 47th-minute goal — and strong defense, keyed by keeper Gabriel Tiene — to a 1-0 win over the Wreckers.

The Mustangs’ victory, at Wakeman Field on Homecoming Day disappointed a crowd of young Westport Soccer Association players who participated in a Premiership-like opening ceremony, escorting players from both schools onto the field.

The visitors’ 2-4-2 record was deceptive. All their matches had been close. Even in those they lost, they hung around well.

Friday’s contest was quite even. It was also quite disjointed. There were more giveaways than usual by Staples, and they had trouble connecting the crisp passes they usually make.

The blue-and-whites certainly had their chances. Josh Whitaker’s 4th-minute banger off the inside of the post bounced out. Alex Kuster and Gabe Duque set up Jonny Costello in the 24th minute; he was saved. Zach Gorin and Adrian Rodriguez sent Will Murray in; he was stuffed.

The first half ended with Wrecker keeper Jack D’Amore making an excellent save, well outside his penalty area.

Staples usually plays confidently through and out of the back. But after several passes in the defense, Warde won a ball. Mateo Dragovcic finished a cross, sliced low and hard across the box.

The goal galvanized Staples. In the 55th minute, Tiene saved a rocket by Murray, following a neat give-and-go.

In the 60th minute, a blast by Costello was knocked away by a defender. Two minutes later, the Mustangs headed a corner kick off the line.

Murray’s cross was halted in the 69th minute. The final 10 minutes saw hectic play by both sides. Warde’s defense stood tall, most notably on Murray’s 78th minute shot, and another Wrecker stab a minute later.

After three games in five days, the Wrecker have just two next week. They host Fairfield Ludlowe on Tuesday; in the match prior to today’s, Ludlowe tied Warde 0-0 in a battle for Fairfield supremacy.

Next Saturday at noon, Staples travels to Trumbull. The 5-3-2 Eagles lost 4-2 to Stamford today — a team the Wreckers walloped 5-1 last week. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest updates.)