Wreckers Easily Defeat Stamford Black Knights in GSOCC’s Second Home Match

On Monday, the Staples Girls Soccer team coasted to an easy victory over the Stamford Black Knights, shutting the visitor out 8-0.  This win, which followed a disappointing 1-1 result in last week’s away contest at Danbury, should serve as a valuable confidence-builder as the Wreckers prepare to meet the Ridgefield Tigers on the Tigers’ home turf Wednesday evening, September 21^st at 6 P.M.

The match took place on the Wakeman Turf, as Loeffler Field was deemed too wet due to rain earlier in the day.   From the onset, Staples dominated and most of the play was in Stamford’s backfield, allowing starting Defenders Ewert, Amacker, McWhirter and Gonzales to press up, and Keeper Anna Sivinski to come out to almost midflield at times.

The first of Staples’ eight goals was scored nine minutes in, when Forward Ashley Wright was able to convert an Amacker corner.  Staples’ second goal came after another nine minute interval, with Mia Gonzales sneaking the ball into the left side of Stamford’s net.  This was Freshman Gonzales’ first career goal for the Wreckers, much to the delight of the bench and spectators alike.   With an early 2-0 lead, the coaching staff began making liberal substitutions, cycling through the talented bench and experimenting with different players at different field positions.  Liv Ronca, Taylor Githens, Cat and Alex Sproules all rotated through and contributed.  Noteworthy – and to rousing cheers – was the season debut of Senior Justine Shikowitz, returning from an ankle injury sustained last October in a contest at Darien.

Throughout, Rossi and Wynne provided structure up front, applying persistent pressure on the Stamford D, which paid off in an easy Rossi goal for the Wreckers’ third tally.   Freshman Kate Ialeggieo made the most of her time on the field time, netting number 4, and that is where the game stood at the half, with the Wreckers leading Stamford 4-0.

The second half started with essentially the same line up that started the match, apart from Sophomore Alexa Chinitz who was given a turn at D, and Goal Keeper Marisa Shorrock, who was brought up from the Freshman squad.  Again, Freshmen Lombardo and Sutter showed both their agility and their mettle, with persistence paying off in a Lombardo goal and a near-miss by Sutter that Ashley Wright was able to convert.  The score climbed to 6-0 very early on in the half, and then to 7-0 when Junior Midfielder Erin Lynch headed in a Wynne corner.

With the outcome of the match a certainty and Staples solidly camped in Stamford’s backfield, the substitution game began again.   Amacker got her first brief water break of the match.  Shickowitz retired McWhirter.  Ewert, Ialeggio, Korus, Simunovic and Welch took turns on the field.   Then, the coaches seemed to start having a little fun with things:  Junior Sally McGee, who ordinarily takes the field as a Defensive Mid was put in at Forward, with Alex Sprouls uncharacteristically slotted at Defense.  The unusual field assignment paid off when McGee received a long ball from Amacker, headed it toward the net, and set up  he opportunity for Ialeggio to further head the ball past the Black Knight Keeper for the 8^th Wrecker goal.

With nothing but time to spend, the Wreckers continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the match, their shutout only briefly in jeopardy when Keeper Shorock was mowed down by a Stamford forward during a brief incursion into the Staples backfield in the final minutes.

The win brings the Wreckers record to 3-0-1 in FCIAC play, with victories over Trinity Catholic, Danbury and Stamford, and a tie with Trumbull. The Ridgefield Tigers’ record is 3-0-0, having shut Trumbull and Stamford out by scores of 4-0 and bested Fairfield Ludlowe 3-0.    For those who are planning to journey to Tiger Hollow to support the Lady Wreckers, please recall that there usually is a modest entry fee charged at the gate, and please plan accordingly.