By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — Staples boys lacrosse, a perennial state powerhouse, prepares for postseason with challenging competition all season long. No better test than the one the Wreckers had on Saturday in the rain when La Salle Academy, winners of Rhode Island’s last 12 state championships, came to town.

The Wreckers built a four-goal cushion and held off the Rams, escaping with an 8-7 victory. 

Hunter Pallai netted four goals and added a pair of assists, Charlie Clark two goals and an assist, Connor Petrosino had a goal and two assists, and Jack Pallai scored once. Goaltender Nate Hammond made four saves. Faceoff specialist Eric Skolnick came up with some key wins to give Staples possession.

The Wreckers led 3-2 at the half and scored three straight goals with Hunter Pallai scoring less than two minutes out of the halftime break and Clark getting the next two. It was 6-3 heading to the fourth.

Staples reclaimed its four-goal advantage on another Hunter Pallai tally, just 1:04 into the fourth. The teams traded goals and Staples went up 84 with 9:31 to play.

The Rams scored 25 seconds later, then had a handful of possessions/ chances to get closer before finally finding the net with 1:38 left. Another goal with 30 seconds to go gave La Salle a chance to tie, The Rams got possession off the ensuing draw but a big defensive play by Max Hill, check of a Ram on the goal’s doorstep, negated their bid to even things in the waning seconds.

Staples improved to 6-1 overall, the lone defeat a 13-6 setback to St. Anthony’s of New York.

Despite the win, the Wreckers have a lot to work to do if they are to successfully defend their Class LL championship from a year ago, Coach Will Koshansky believes.

The Wreckers need to look at what they did well, along with areas in which they need to improve in the next game.

“We’ve got to get a lot better. All aspects of our game need to be a little bit stronger,” he said.

The Wreckers created chances to score, particularly off solid defensive plays along with rides and by creating turnovers, the coach noted.

“We’ve got to execute better,” Koshansky added.

Still, there is something to be said for beating a 12-time state winner. “They know how to win championships,” the Staples coach said.

Staples’ last three wins were each one-goal decisions. 

On Thursday, Staples edged host Ridgefield 11-0 in overtime. Hunter Pallai had three goals, including the deciding tally, and four assists. Clark scored five times, Nick Weil had a goal and an assist and Tristan Bentan and Connor Petrosino each added goals. Skolnick won 17 of 23 faceoffs.

Staples beat St. John’s Prep 4-3 in OT on April 21. Clark had two goals and two assists, Weil and Ben Martell scored and Jack Pallai notched an assist Hammond made eight saves.

Staples beat New Canaan 11-8 on April 16. Hunter Pallai scored five times and had two assists and Tristan Benton scored four goals to pace the offense. Clark had a goal and an assist, Jack Pallai scored a goal, Petrosino, Weil and Skolnick all had assists. Skolnick won 16 of 23 faceoffs.

“Nate Maurillo and Bear Swearingen have been the leaders for us on defense, with Max Hill, Jack McGeehan and Rory Benton playing great, too,” Koshansky said.

“So far so good,” said Koshansky, adding that the Wreckers have beaten a pair of top-tier FCIAC programs but have some tough matchups ahead.

Staples hosts defending Class L state champ St. Joseph of Trumbull Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Andy Hutchison

^{_{Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories, since the 1990s. He is the sports editor at the Newtown Bee. He writes for the Monroe Sun. He was director of communications and radio color commentator for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Islanders) hockey team. He has won numerous writing awards, including regional and national first-place honors.}}