WESTPORT–Staples faced the undefeated Warde Mustangs at home Friday.

The young Staples squad hadn’t scored a goal in their last two games. 

In the first half, Staples traded zeros with Warde, with Avery Mueller and Dylan Hoke ranging wide and utilizing teammates around them.

Ben Douglas was a stalwart in back. He and fellow defenders Hunter Smith, Campbell Gerrard and sophomore Zach Beebe used junior keeper Nick Sikorski often, then patiently worked the ball upfield.

Neither team scored a goal in the first half. Staples’ loss of star defenseman Cole Lieberman to an injury may have tipped the scale to Warde.

After the half, Warde came out hot. Their first goal came two minutes after play resumed; their second, ten minutes later. Both resulted from quick, well-taken drives into the box.

With Staples down 2-0, a push in the box on Santi Alfageme off a corner kick earned the Wreckers a 68th minute penalty kick. Junior Dylan Hoke rifled it home.

Eight minutes later, junior Avery Mueller drove into the penalty box. He’d bedeviled his man-marker all match long. This time, he was taken down — and drew another penalty kick.

Hoke stepped up again. He once again nailed it decisively.

Now the blue-and-whites were on the attack; Warde was on its heels.

Ethan Cukier swung the ball over to Chase Watkins. The junior sent a seeing-eye cross to Mueller. He snuck through a crowd of defenders, and found the net. Just 4:30 remained on the clock.

With Staples leading 3-2, Hoke and Hunter Smith took charge, the Wreckers defense managed the game to the end. As they’d been all match long, they were poised, smart and confident.

The victory rocketed head coach Russell Oost-Lievense’s side to a 3-4-1 record. They are now very much back in the FCIAC and state playoff battles.

Their next match is no easier. They will travel to face 8-0-0 Trumbull Thursday at 5:30 p.m.