By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — After winning three consecutive games by a combined 19 goals, Staples boys lacrosse on Saturday faced a tough test against St. Anthony’s of Melville, N.Y. — losing 10-8 — that will fortify their resolve heading into post-season playoffs.

St. Anthony’s, among New York’s top-ranked teams, also is the former stomping grounds of Staples Head Coach Will Koshansky.

The Wreckers hung close in a back-and-forth battle, staging a comeback that fell just short.

Staples trailed 5-3 at the half and saw the Friars build on the lead in the third quarter, going up 7-3 and leading 8-4 heading to the fourth. The Wreckers sliced the lead in half on goals by Charlie Clark and Tristan Schaefer. 

The Friars went up 9-6 only to see Adam Udell weave through the defense to score ad and make it a two-goal game again, with 5:36 left.

St. Anthony’s went up 10-7 with 3:20 to go. The Wreckers, behind the efforts of faceoff man Eric Skolnick, got possession off the ensuing draw and Schaefer scored just 10 seconds later. But St. Anthony’s got possession and ran out most of the remaining time.

The Wreckers were coming off an 11-6 win at Wilton on Thursday. Will Fleming had three goals, Udell and Schaefer both scored two goals and two assists, and Clark and Justin Halky each had a pair of goals and one assist. Goaltender Josh Marcus made 14 saves in that win.

Staples also recently defeated Fairfield Ludlowe 15-6 and Bishop Guertin of Nashua, N.H., 12-7. 

The Wreckers are 12-2 overall heading into Tuesday’s home game with Danbury at 6:30 p.m. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.) 

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