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"That's an exciting time for us and a lot of hard work is paying off," said Lady Wreckers coach Cathy Schager.
With the win, Staples is on course to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000, provided that it wins three more games. The Lady Wreckers have rematches against three teams they already beat, including Norwalk, who it hosts Saturday at 11 a.m.
"I'm more excited than ever," said Staples senior tri-captain Colby Mello. "I've been working on it since freshman year. Everyone is working hard and it's finally realistic."
Lady Wreckers senior tri-captain Sara Schafrann said, "I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to the next couple of games. Our team is working together and we have the momentum from winning three straight games. We're happy being 5-5 and with the development of our program under Coach Schager. It's nice that all our hard work is paying off."
Staples senior tri-captain Becca Bub said, "It's really an exciting time because we have games we can
The Lady Wreckers won despite being outshot 28-25.
"We played really good team offense and the girls made their shots and that helped us," said Schager.
Junior goalie Kristen Lewis (17 saves) also helped Staples by making some outstanding saves.
"It's about being focused, watching the ball and not getting distracted by the opposing girls' head fakes and letting my mind be clear," said Lewis. "I didn't really think about it [facing many shots]. After facing the fifth or sixth shot, I knew I'll be facing more shots and I didn't get freaked about it. One thing about being a goalie is that you don't let the stress get to you and to stay calm."
The Lady Wreckers led the whole game and took an 8-3 lead. Almost each time Staples took the lead, Norwalk would come and the Lady Bears tied it 8-8, which was the halftime score.
Leading the Lady Wrecker offense was junior Becca Tash, who scored five goals.
"Our offense worked well together and we got open for each other," said Tash. "There was a lot of intensity from everybody."
Tash scored the Lady Wreckers' first three goals of the second half, first giving them a 9-8 lead. After Norwalk tied it, she then went downfield and scored to give Staples the lead for good, 10-9.
"I knew we deserved to win and we were the better team," said Tash. "We worked hard and I was determined to score."
This goal jump-started the Lady Wreckers.
"Everybody needed a kick because we needed this game," said Tash. "I'm the glad the offense picked it up."
Senior Maddie Roche (three goals, two assists) and freshman Nicole Seo (three goals, two assists) also contributed immensely on offense. Mello, Schafrann, sophomore Lexa Koenig and freshman Avery Muchnick each scored goals. Schafrann and Koenig had an assist. Muchnick's goal came with 48 seconds to go, pretty much insuring a Staples win and preventing Norwalk from completing a comeback.
"Our transition was the key to maintain possession and we worked as a unit," said Schafrann.
Staples overcame many fouls, most of them which were questionable calls at best. Bub, Mello, Tash and sophomore Blair Barone led the with three ground balls each and Bub was a defensive stalwart with five positive turnovers. Barone and Koenig had two positive turnovers apiece.
"We kept playing our game and we were able to keep the [Norwalk] offense out of our zone by sliding," said Bub.
In draw controls, Mello led the way with four. Tash and Koenig had three each and Schafrann had two.
"We just kept our heads up," said Mello. "We knew we could win and we kept fighting. We had it in ourselves."
Next up for the Lady Wreckers is Ridgefield at home Friday. They play at Fairfield Warde May 15 and close out the season at home against St. Joseph May 17.
"We improved as a team since we played St. Joseph and Warde and I hope we're getting better," said Schager. "I expect the same from our opponents."
Schafrann said, "We hope to carry the momentum forward."
