FAIRFIELD — Friday night’s match at Fairfield Warde was a big one: 7-0-2, FCIAC Western Conference leader Staples at 5-1-3, East-leading Fairfield Warde.

The game lived up to expectations. It was well-played, hard-fought and, in the end, a spirited 3-0 Wrecker victory.

Jacob Rybchin sends this report:

Staples struggled to maintain early possession, or penetrate into the final third. Warde was dangerous, forcing a punch save by keeper Nick Sikorski, then taking a shot that narrowly missed.

Zach Gorin narrowly missed too. Sikorski denied another chance in the 20th minute, and 5 minutes later snatched a header in midair.

In the 27th minute, the visitors drew first blood. Avery Mueller drove from midfield down the left flank, bedeviling three defenders. He cut into the box and squared the ball to Emmett Nivaud, who calmly slotted it in. Nivaud has proven to be a valuable recent partner for co-captain Mueller.

A Warde free kick hit the defensive wall, and went out for a corner kick. Cormac Mulvey cleared that with a solid header. 

The momentum shifted, with Staples threatening and the Mustangs on the back foot. Three minutes before halftime Mueller was taken down, and Warde was shown the first of several yellow cards.

In the second half, Jack Schwartz’s header off the goal line epitomized Staples’ strong defense, with fellow backs Santi Alfageme, Zach Beebe and Mulvey, and defensive midfielder Adam Syah.

A left-footed shot by Mueller was narrowly saved. The Mustangs earned their second yellow when Jonny Costello was taken down. The Warde coach was then shown a red, for strong dissent. The contest was growing scrappy.

Luca Escalarte halted a Warde threat in his own box. A minute later Alfageme sent a free kick to the feet of Zach Gorin. He sent Mueller blitzing forward. A simple touch rounded the oncoming keeper. One deft touch from the Wreckers’ leading scorer doubled their lead.

It was nearly 3-0 in the 62nd minute, but Lucas Carpi shot high. Warde received two more yellows for dissent, as Staples ramped up the pressure.

Gorin’s volley was high, but 3 minutes from the time Mueller received the ball at midfield. Flanked by Carpi and Chase Watkins, he drove through himself and finished cleanly bottom right. It was a fitting end to a high-octane night.

Head coach Russell Oost-Lievense and co-captains Mueller and Alfageme low-keyed the result. All expressed the same thought: On to the next game.

That match is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fairfield Ludlowe. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)