Super Beautiful Super Moon
Photo and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Tonight and last night we were once again treated to an extraordinary sight in the sky, known as the Super Moon. This happens 3 or 4 times each year, always in consecutive months. This phenomenon is caused when the full moon appears when closest in it's orbit around the Earth. This year, Super Moons occurred last on Monday, August 19th, with a second on Tuesday, September 17th.
We can expect the final one occurring on Friday, November 15th, which will be known as the Beaver Moon and will be at it's brightest around 4:30 PM. When occurring in October it is known as the Hunter's Moon. This sight can continue to be enjoyed through Friday morning.
Wreckers Field Hockey Coasts To Win Over Danbury
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The greatest challenge for Staples Field Hockey on Monday in Danbury was trying to stay warm! Temperature on the filed was 55º degree, with an intense wind making feel more like 45º or colder, which had no effect on this teams performance. The outcome was clear and the girls took a moment before the 4th quarter to show their enthusiasm.
The Hatters were no match for the Wreckers and only avoided handing Staples their 11th shut-out of this stellar season by scoring their only goal with mounts to go in the fourth period. The Wreckers 11-1 victory brings their record to 12-0 and they are first in the FCIAC east division, ahead of 2nd place Ludlowe of Fairfield.
Coach Ian Tapsall described the game this way, "Staples coasted to an 11-1 victory over Danbury managing to rest senior players and try a team structure that should mimic the team for next season." That line-up bodes well for next season, given the lop-sided victory.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Wrecker's scoring was pretty balanced with Oakley Wilson leading with 3 goals, followed by Leah Larit with 2 goals.
Six more Wreckers scored one goal each including Emma Larit, Tyla Ozgen, Catherine Cirasuolo , Lucy Hill, Mary Stevens, Ella Ledenko.
The 11 goal victory was facilitated with assists by Emma Larit, Leah Larit and Daisy Hackett
Watching the game from the sidelines, players were bundled up, including one player who wrapped herself in a blanket to fight the wind chill.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Danbury Hatter goalie had a rough day, but still manged multiple saves. At right, the JV squad ran a few laps prior to their match-up. They did in fact achieve a shut-out and also scoring 11 goals.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Wreckers Football On A Roll, Routing Westhill 47-0
The Staples Wreckers, defending state champions are clearly on a roll. Whether it is passing or running the football or their stifling defense, evidenced by the QB sack by the defense, the Wreckers are fire! They are undefeated, 4-0 in the early season and are fresh off of a resounding defeat of Stamford’s Westhill High, with a 47 point shutout in their last game on October 4th. They had a bye last Friday and will face New Canaan in a day game on Saturday, October 19th.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples receiver Shane Sandrew, (sr.) grabs another pass from quarterback Nick Weil, (jr.) despite what looks like pass interference. Sandrew posted 75 yards on receptions including a 41 yard completion. QB Weil completed 10 of 14 attempts for gains of 163 yards. His scrambling ability continues to keep pressure on the opposing defense with 3 carries for 27 yards.
Weil finds wide receiver Nathan Smith for one of two TD receptions, which were the result of his 88 yards on receptions. Head coach Adam Behrends and his staff are laser focused, constantly directing efforts during the game.
Pink Out!
Staples fans support their annual Pink Out, wearing the color in support of breast Cancer Awareness.Players participated as well with pink wristbands, towels, t-shirts and even some socks. Not to be left out Westport PD officer Batlin work the pink emblem uniform shirt he wore last year as well. Some younger Wrecker fans made sure their support was clear.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples & PAL Cheerleaders Pumped Up The Crowd
The hard-working Staples cheerleaders give it their all, as usual, at the half-time performance.
Westport PAL cheerleaders came to perform with their Staples "big sisters" and received their own cheers from the crowd.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Both the Staples squad and PAL Cheerleaders gathered mid-field for this group photo.
Wreckers Football Tailgate Party - Westport Style
A scene from Friday night's tailgate party before the home game against Westhill High of Stamford.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Before last Friday’s game against Westhill of Stamford, parents of Wrecker’s team Captain Charley Leahy, Raleigh and Pat took the traditional home game up a notch. The parents of the five team captains are asked to organize the tailgate parties for the home games. This year, it's been a mix of food trucks, parents stepping up and manning the grill and people bringing food to share with others.
This particular party had, as the photos clearly show, a pink theme as part of the Pink Aid night celebrated by the fans and the Wreckers football team to support the cause of breast cancer awareness and research. Many of those at this tailgate party are Staples alums who were happy to contribute to the celebration and the worthy cause.
Chef and restaurateur Matt Storch flanked by Sous chefs Sawyer Nessel and Bowen Redgate.
Charley’s parents Raleigh and Pat Leahy have always been huge fans of Saugatuck Provisions and the Match family of restaurants. They are loyal customers who get all of their meats and other speciality items at the store. Pat told WestportLocalPress, “Matt Storch and his staff are awesome and I always look forward to making a visit because of that.”
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Tailgaters were offered delicious house made sausages, Korean BBQ drums and Big Match Burgers.
Pat reached out to Matt a few weeks ago to see if he'd consider serving the tailgate for the game against Westhill. Pat said, “He gave us a very fair deal and brought his two rock star Sous Chefs, Sawyer Nessel and Bowen Redgate to prepare and serve the food. It was a huge hit and I hope shined a big spotlight on Saugatuck Provisions and how lucky we are to have a place like that in town. Matt grew up in Westport and is a Staples graduate, which made it even cooler.”
After devouring the delicious BBQ and sausages and burgers, the desert table was particularly inviting with lots of gourmet and even some homemade treats.
Staples and Pink Aid were clearly the themes of the evening, after which the Wreckers treated the hometown crowd to an overwhelming victory over Westhill.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Wreckers get ready for the night's action.