Staples Falls to Westhill, Eyes State Tournament

Editor's Note: The following was submitted by Staples Girls Soccer.  

In a hard fought game that was tense for all ninety minutes, the Staples Lady Wreckers played at the Westhill Lady Vikings’ home field on Monday afternoon.

Staples came up with an interesting defensive strategy, having Megan Root, the junior captain, man mark Jess Laszlo, Westhill’s star forward. Right off the bat, Westhill took the advantage of the now 3-girl defense and set up a break-away five minutes into the game. Forward Rachel Benz managed to juke past the Staples goalie, Mary Bennewitz, and shot on an empty net. However, a superhuman effort by defender Katie Lesch saved the day as she raced back and kicked the shot wide.

The man marking of Jess Laszlo worked well until Westhill managed to acquire a free kick just outside the eighteen-yard box in the seventeenth minute of the game. Jess took the kick and lofted it over everyone into the far corner of the net for the first goal.

Staples, not giving up, created a corner kick with two minutes left to play in the first half. After a good cross by Lauren Garcia, the ball was thrown into chaos right in front of the net. Gea Mitas found the ball in midst of the confusion and was able to bury it into the left corner.

1-1 at the half.

The second half was a series of battles, with each team having a number of chances to score.  Staples dominated the first minutes of the half.  Lydia Shaw ran all over the field, and with the speed and footwork of Tia Zajec and Lauren Garcia and the brilliant passing of Maggie Walsh and Gea Mitas, together they all generated many opportunities for a goal.  Staples hopes for making FCIAC's were nearly within reach, but no one managed to find the back of the net.  As the half wore on, the possession tilted Westhill's way.  With about six minutes, Jess Laszlo earned her second point with a header assist to forward Rachel Benz. 

The Lady Wreckers valiantly fought on, but to no avail. The game ended with the Staples girls leaving the field with a 2-1 loss.

With a 7-8 record (likely 8-8 to end the season), the Lady Wreckers will not be able to play in the FCIACs, so instead they set their sights on the state tournament coming up.  Veterans of the 2011 campaign know that not making FCIAC's does not mean an early exit at States.  This team was competitive with every team in FCIAC except St. Josephs.  Who knows what the State tournament will bring.