By Andy Hutchison

NORWALK — The Staples High School field hockey team’s offense is so hot early in the season that it’s even scoring after time on the scoreboard clock has run out.

The Wreckers converted off a penalty corner that took place just after the halftime buzzer during Thursday’s visit to Norwalk High, on the way to a 7-1 triumph. 

The penalty corner continuation rule means that even if the clock has expired the penalty corner must be played out. Already leading by three goals, Staples made it 5-1 at the break when Emma Larit connected.

Of course, the Wreckers are … well, “wrecking” opposing defenses in a variety of ways, including one-touches and flicks.

Against Norwalk, Tyla Ozgen and Emma Nahon both scored twice, and Alex Hackett, Emma Larit and Francine Stevens all hit the back of the cage once.

Charlotte Strange and Larit both had two assists, and Stevens and Ozgen each had one assist.

Goaltender Alexa Ninos did not have a whole lot of work to do thanks to a combination of the Wreckers’ possession and solid defense, but made some sprawling and diving saves/breakups.

Staples beat Westhill 10-1 and New Canaan 4-1 in earlier games this fall.

Against Westhill, Sofia Fidalgo, Stevens, Ozgen and Larit led the offense. Stevens had a pair of tallies in the win over New Canaan.

Staples Coach Ian Tapsall is pleased with the start and said his lineup is doing what it should.

“We’ve got a strong squad of club players,” Tapsall noted.

Defenders Caroline Roschen and Caroline Cooper have been solid in the back. The Wreckers stand to get even tougher to beat when defender Izzy Nahon returns from injury, the coach anticipates.

“I think we’ve got the makings of a really nice team,” said Tapsall, adding that the goal is to make deep runs in FCIAC and state tournaments. “It all boils down to how the girls play.”

Tapsall noted that a key to success hinges on how the players adapt to different fields. Staples competes at home on turf that plays very fast, and opponents’ field surfaces vary.

The Wreckers stand to have a tough test when they visit Wilton at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Ridgefield visits Staples at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22.

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s. Learn more about us here.