TRUMBULL-Two goals by Gabe Duque, and solo strikes by Josh Whitaker and Zach Gillman paced the Wreckers to a 4-1 win yesterday afternoon at St.  Joseph.

Though this year’s Cadets are stronger than in past years, they were no match for Staples. The visitors’ skill, speed, soccer smarts and depth were on display throughout the brilliant fall afternoon.

The first goal came just 2:30 after the opening whistle. Adriano Carpi struck a great long ball out of the back. Whitaker chested it down, took his defender along the end line, then blasted a shot into the far corner.

Sixteen minutes later, Gabe Hellmann’s clever move sent Noah Rossoni in. His cross through the box found Gabe Duque, who doubled the lead.

At the 30-minute mark, Nico Reyna played a seeing-eye cross into the box. Duque’s sweet, left-footed one-touch shot gave the Wreckers a 3-0 edge. It was the quad-captain’s 4th goal in two matches.

Staples’ final tally came two  minutes before intermission. Grayson Downes’ superb pass was finished by Gillman, who cruised in and banged his shot off the inside of the far post. It was the first goal of his varsity career — and a beauty.

A second half highlight was Cillian Morris‘ nifty pullback move.

Reserve keeper Luke Dietrich could not save a late penalty kick, but handled the rest of the second half with ease. 

Staples, now 12-2-0, finishes the regular season next week: at Westhill on Monday and home against Ridgefield Thursday. Both games are at 2 p.m.

The FCIAC tournament begins the following week.