Experience, defense spark Staples’ start

The Staples boys program has enjoyed a winning tradition over the years.

While last season produced an 11-7 record for the Wreckers that would be an exceptional finish for many teams in the state, Staples experienced some tough losses. Five of their seven losses were by one goal, including a 12-11 loss to FCIAC rival Greenwich in the first round of the CIAC Class L tournament.

Fast forward to 2018. Thanks to experience, depth and an exceptional defense the Wreckers, who have been ranked in the GameTimeCT Top 10 poll all season, are off to an impressive 9-2 start.

The Wreckers opened with a seven-game win streak, allowing only 24 goals in those first seven games. They entered arguably their toughest stretch of the regular season in their last four games going 2-2 and losing to FCIAC rivals Greenwich (9-6 ) and Wilton (11-6).

However, one of the wins in that four-game stretch was against another tough FCIAC rival — an 8-7 victory in overtime over Ridgefield.

“Last year, we lost five games by one goal but one of the differences this season has been our defense,” Staples coach Paul McNulty said. “Our entire defense all returned from last season.

“One of the most consistent players for us this season has been our goalie Matt Garber. He had a huge overtime save against Ridgefield that helped us win that game. Another key for us is our biggest scoring threat (midfielder) Evan Zinn is back from a hand injury (missed early part of the season).”

Other top players include senior midfielders Dobson Cooper, Hal Levi and Max Lonergan, senior attackmen Matt Bidgood and Nico Rossi, sophomore attackman Patrick Ciquera and junior defenders Blake Runkle and Don Macaluso.

Like most FCIAC teams the Wreckers boast a tough in-state and out-out-of-state schedule. They have four games left in the regular season at Fairfield Ludlowe on Saturday at 7 p.m., host St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) on Monday at 5:30 p.m., host Westhill on May 10 at 6 p.m. and at Mamaroneck (N.Y.) on May 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Entering the final stretch of the season the Wreckers are 2-0 against out-of-state competition and 1-2 against teams in the Top 10 (three FCIAC opponents). McNulty said the tough built-in FCIAC schedule and out-of-state schedule is a factor in helping his team prepare for the postseason.

“We consider our FCIAC scheduled games to be playoff games,” McNulty said. “It’s about how we will be seated in the FCIAC. Our out-of-state schedule forces us to prove ourselves against good competition.”

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR

Not including Tuesday’s games there were a combined four boys and girls teams that were still unbeaten this season among CIAC teams.

The boys entered this week with one unbeaten team in each of the three CIAC Classes (L, M and S).

The Darien boys continue to take no prisoners against in-state opponents or out-of-state competition. The Blue Wave are 10-0 and they compete in Class L. Darien increased its overall win streak to 64 straight games with a 9-7 win over No. 2 New Canaan on Saturday. New Fairfield, a Class M team, improved to 9-0 on Saturday after a 16-5 win over Xavier. In Class S, St. Paul improved to 9-0 after a 21-2 win over Watertown on Saturday.

The last unbeaten girls lacrosse team in Connecticut is a team that competes in Class M. Tolland improved to 6-0 on April 23 with a 15-10 win over Northwest Catholic.