By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — The defending Class L state champion Staples High field hockey team is back for another season that promises to be a winning one.

This year, the Wreckers will try to not only repeat as state title holders, but also reclaim the FCIAC’s top spot.

“Looking forward to seeing how this group plays together in light of the experience and success they had last year,” Coach Ian Tapsall said.

“We expect the usual tough games against Darien and Greenwich, but watch out for Fairfield Ludlowe too,” Tapsall added.

Last year, Staples avenged an FCIAC title-game setback to Darien by defeating the rival Blue Wave 3-1 in the state tourney matchup.

Senior captains/Division I college commits are Sofia Fidalgo (Princeton), Emma Larit (UConn) and Tyla Ozgen (Stanford).

Other players to watch include junior forward Mary Stevens, junior midfielder Catherine Cirasuolo and junior goalie Paige Knesich — all college-bound athletes, Tapsall noted.

Staples begins the regular slate Tuesday, Sept. 3, when Ridgefield visits at 4 p.m. Darien comes to Westport Tuesday, Oct. 1; Greenwich will host the Wreckers Wednesday, Oct. 16, and the regular season concludes Monday, Oct. 21, when Ludlowe visits the Wreckers. All of these games set to take place at 4 p.m.

(Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest updates.)  

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