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FCIAC

Fit To Be Tied: Staples And New Canaan Girls Soccer Teams Walk Away Optimistic From 1-1 Draw

Dave Ruden

09.17.2014

New Canaan's Abigail Farley (7) and Staples' Tia Zajec battle for a ball during Wednesday's game. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

New Canaan’s Abigail Farley (7) and Staples’ Tia Zajec battle for a ball during Wednesday’s game. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

WESTPORT — To those who feel the FCIAC girls soccer regular season is nothing more than a springboard for an inexorable march by St. Joseph and Wilton to a championship rematch, the members of Staples and New Canaan offered up a message at Albie Loeffler Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Don’t sleep on us.

In a highly entertaining game most would expect to see in the postseason rather than the fourth game of the year, the Wreckers and Rams played to a 1-1 draw. Each team got brilliant goals, was strong to the ball and deftly created chances.

Staples (3-0-1) had more opportunities, but the New Canaan defense was resilient, keyed by a terrific performance by goalkeeper Katie Donovan.

Staples' Lydia Shaw turns on a shot in the first half against New Canaan. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

Staples’ Lydia Shaw turns on a shot in the first half against New Canaan. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

Perhaps the outcome should have been expected: each team finished the regular season 8-8 a year ago and lost in the first round of the state tournament.

In the larger picture, the Rams (1-2-1) demonstrated they are positioned to make the climb back up after a rare off year, while those who labeled the Wreckers sleepers in the preseason appear to be spot-on.

“Staples played amazing,” said New Canaan’s Sami Stewart, who accounted for her team’s goal with a spectacular shot from 35 yards on a set piece. “They were so aggressive to the ball. They are all very skilled players. It was a great game to go against them and have that level of play.”

New Canaan’s schedule is loaded on the front end, and its record is not indicative of the talent level.

New Canaan's Kyla Persky makes a run as Staples' Tia Zajec defends. (Photo: Gregory Vasil(

New Canaan’s Kyla Persky makes a run as Staples’ Tia Zajec defends. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

“It was good to come into another tough game and try to put things right,” New Canaan coach Kirk Bamford said. “We started well. We have to start trying to find our rhythm in front of the goal and then hopefully we can take it to the next level.”

It is telling about how high the Wreckers have set their bar that first-year coach Barry Beattie was frustrated by an outcome that in the past would have provided unfettered satisfaction.

“I’m a bit annoyed about the draw,” Beattie said. “In the second half we created a load of chances. If we’re disappointed with ties it’s a good sign.”

Lydia Shaw, who had a strong game and might have walked away with a hat trick against a lesser goalkeeper, set up Charlotte Rossi in the 12th minute on a play that led to a corner kick.

Lauren Garcia lofted a ball in front of the goal and Meg Root soared high into the air and headed it in for an early lead.

The Wreckers' Tia Zajec sets up a play. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

The Wreckers’ Tia Zajec sets up a play, fending off New Canaan’s Kyla Persky. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

“Megan is a top player,” Beattie said. “The threat of her going forward worries other teams.”

Root almost reprised the goal midway through the half after the Rams’ Courtney Overacker was unlucky putting a one-touch shot off a pass by Abigail Farley right at Staples goalkeeper Mary Bennewitz.

Shaw was robbed by Driscoll in the 36th minute with a bullet that Donovan punched off the crossbar and then corralled.

A minute later, Stewart floated a direct kick over the reach of Bennewitz to equalize.

“When I dropped the ball I just looked up and said I have to score this goal and I followed through with it,” Stewart said. I was just watching it, praying it was going in, and when I saw it hit the back of the net my hands flew up.”

New Canaan's Marina Braccio heads away a corner kick. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

New Canaan’s Marina Braccio heads away a corner kick. (Photo: Gregory Vasil)

Staples, which held a 14-6 edge in shots, had several chances to go ahead, especially late in the game. Shaw, dangerous in space, was stopped by Driscoll in the 44th minute, then again in the 78th minute from point-blank range.

“I was getting frustrated,” Shaw said. “I know the keeper, she’s a great keeper, and I have to finish those. It’s a disappointing feeling. It wasn’t a loss. We’re going to go forward and try to put in a good performance for the rest of the season.”

Bamford also looked at the game as a stepping stone.

“We had a tough start and we’re getting into stride,” Bamford said. “We’ll keep building off of this.”

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