FAIRFIELD–Yesterday’s Staples High School boys soccer match at Fairfield Warde had an intriguing story line. The Mustangs’ new assistant coaches, Russell Oost-Lievense and Chris O’Dell, coached at Staples for nine and 20 years respectively, until their contracts were not renewed. Both are former Wrecker captains.
Both still have great admiration and respect for the current Staples players and program, led by first-year coach Liam Witham. Oost-Lievense and O’Dell downplayed any hype before the game. They organized “Gold Game” fundraisers, involving both teams, to benefit LivFree, a pediatric cancer research organization.
Warde’s stout defense held the Wreckers at bay for 73 minutes. But after many close calls, near misses and clearances off the line, Staples finally broke through. Ford Epstein’s poke, off Brendan Allen’s left-footed, in-swinging corner kick, was the difference in the hard-fought, 1-0 match.
After the visitors fired a shot 10 seconds after kickoff, the game settled into a pattern. The Wreckers attacked, Warde defended, then pushed forward when they could.
Opportunities came from the combination play of Allen, Epstein, Josh Whitaker and Noah Rossoni. Emmett Zahler continued to impress at outside back, while his fellow defender on the right side, Gabe Hellmann, attacked relentlessly out of the back.
Staples created opportunities off of corners. Hellman, Whitaker and Adrian Rodriguez all deliverED dangerous services. But not until seven minutes remained did the blue-and-whites solve Warde’s defense.
It was a tough result for the Mustangs, who could have earned one point with a draw. For Staples, the victory meant three more hard-earned points, as the road to the post-season continues.
The Westporters, now 8-2-0, travel to Fairfield on Monday for a 5 p.m. contest.
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