STAMFORD–Wind, rain and a slick surface posed more of a challenge than the Westhill Vikings for the Staples boys soccer team Monday afternoon, at J. Walter Kennedy Stadium in Stamford.
The Wreckers easily handled the outmanned Vikings, 7-1. With only 15 players on the field and sidelines, they were no match for the fully-manned Stapleites. The visitors lifted their record to 13-2-0, with only one regular season game remaining (Thursday vs. Ridgefield, 4 p.m. at Wakeman Field). Staples will finish second in the league, behind Greenwich (victors by 4-3 over the Westporters earlier this season), and play at home for the quarterfinals of the FCIAC tournament. Post-season play begins next Monday.
Adrian Rodriguez’s true hat trick — three straight goals — and the first-ever varsity goals for a trio of players were highlights of the wet afternoon.
The opening goal came in the 10th minute. Gabe Duque picked up a loose ball, and blasted it into the side netting. It was his fifth tally in three matches — and the fifth straight match for a goal or assist — by the wide-ranging, quick and sure-footed quad-captain.
Rodriguez then began his string of scores with a leaping header off the underside of the crossbar, from Noah Rossoni’s curving corner kick.
Four minutes later, Spencer Girling sliced a perfect ball out of the back. The junior finished with another header.
A minute later it was a third head ball, this one off a smooth touch from Brendan Allen.
The scoring parade continued in the second half. Jaden Waldman, Thomas Pretty and Eli Zev all notched the first goals of their varsity careers.
Ridgefield should provide a sterner test, and a good tune-up for the FCIAC tourney. The Tigers were 9-4-1, in solid fourth place, heading into yesterday’s match against New Canaan.
Recent Comments