Sequenzia’s goals help Staples past Wilton

WESTPORT — Saturday was about a dominant early offensive performance from No. 2 Staples, followed by sturdy defensive work to preserve an 8-6 FCIAC boys lacrosse win at Paul Lane Field over No. 3 Wilton.

At the intersection was Leo Sequenzia’s first goal of two at the start of the third quarter.

“Leo’s one of the most athletic kids on the field every single game,” Staples coach Will Koshansky said.

“Fast, up and down the field, like the one goal he had, making the defensive play, getting the ball — he drew a flag on the play — ran past everybody down the field, and then he shoots the lights out of the ball.”

The junior midfielder had both Wreckers goals in the third quarter as a 5-1 halftime lead dissipated to 6-4.

Sequenzia’s second rebuilt a three-goal lead, and after the Warriors crept back again, Mason Schaefer’s goal finished it off for Staples.

Sequenzia said he had a bit of a slow start, even as the rest of his team was roaring. Koshansky wasn’t so sure about that.

“Maybe he had a drop or two early in the game,” the coach said.

“With our midfield we’ve got a lot of guys we feel comfortable running out there in the midfield. He’s one of those key guys for us.”

In a balanced attack, no one had more than two points for the Wreckers.

A couple of their big weapons didn’t factor into the scoring. They didn’t have to.

“You trust the guys around you,” Sequenzia said. “You have a lot of faith in all your teammates, middies, attack.

“We’re so deep as a team. I trust every single person on this roster to make the play that I would make.”

With Henry Dodge winning the first four faceoffs and most of the rest, Staples had a decisive advantage in possession through the first quarter. And they used it to build a 5-0 lead.

“Our athleticism offensively is our biggest strength,” Sequenzia said. “Guys like Ryan Thompson running it out at end of the game, running back and forth ... Charlie Howard, an athlete, off-ball cutter. I think we have a really complete offense. “

Sequenzia’s first goal came on his clear up the left side. When no one came to defend him, he fired it home. He got his second after another Didge faceoff win.

Staples (7-0), which moved up from fourth to second in the most recent GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll, visits No. 1 Darien on Thursday afternoon, between games against Iona Prep (N.Y.) and Bishop Guertin (N.H.).

Wilton (5-2) hosts Darien two days after the Blue

Wave and Wreckers meet.

Wilton coach Steve Pearsall wasn’t sure his team came out nervous, was just tight, or what quite happened. The Warriors (5-2) are also missing injured do-it-all midfielder Grant Masterson. Pearsall only said they’re hopeful the 2021 all-state player can get back by the end of the season.

“We’re challenging them to find that guy to step up and make a play,” Pearsall said, mentioning Ben Calabrese, who scored half of the Warriors’ goals.

“We’re looking for a few guys to step up and fill that void that he leaves.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Staples junior midfielder Leo Sequenzia scored two third-quarter goals to keep a Wilton comeback at bay.

QUOTABLE

“We were saying, we thought our offense came out really hot today and kind of slowed up, but our defense played one of the best games we’ve played on that end.” —Staples coach Will Koshansky