FAIRFIELD | October 17, 2000 -- A cold, gray day appeared ready to dampen the most anticipated game of the FCIAC boys soccer season. The skies never opened up, but on the field, Staples beat Fairfield 2-0 in a game that was nothing short of a thunderstorm.
Both teams displayed the fiery intensity that makes this FCIAC rivalry so fierce. But Staples sophomore Charlie Perlwitz delivered both the thunder and the lightning for Staples, scoring the game's only two goals and keeping the Wreckers undefeated on the season.
The win pushes Staples to a perfect 12-0 and gives the Wreckers the inside track to the No. 1 seed in the FCIAC tournament. Fairfield drops to 10-2.
Perlwitz surprised the Mustangs with a goal just 3:33 into the contest. Senior midfielder Mike Carey fed a pass to Perlwitz, who slipped it past Mustang goalie Travis Leavy.
"We've been waiting for this game since the beginning of the season," Perlwitz said. "We've been training and working hard all season for this game and I couldn't be happier."
Perlwitz added his second goal of the game 12 minutes into the second half when he knocked in the rebound from a Brendan Nangle shot that bounced off the post.
"It was great win. We haven't beaten Fairfield in three years. I'm really pleased," Staples coach Jeff Lea said.
Lea said the key to the game was shutting down Fairfield's offensive weapons, especially senior Alex Ostrowski. Lea gave credit to his defense, led by seniors Brandon Lamb and Jim Wolf.
"We did what we wanted to do, and that was shut down their speed," said Lea. "And it's always nice to get a goal in the first four minutes. It puts the pressure on the other team."
Staples goalie Matt Katz stopped several Fairfield scoring chances in the first half and down the stretch, recording nine saves. Leavy had six saves for the Mustangs.
The game was a rough one with both teams playing physical soccer. Staples' Brian Dorsey was slapped with a yellow card with just one second left in the first half. The game could have turned ugly several times in the second half, but both team were able to keep their composure.
"We talked at halftime about trying to keep it clean," Perlwitz said. "We wanted to play a fair game and do what we had to do."
"There were some fouls and it was getting a little hot," Lea said. "But I don't think it was a particularly violent game and it was played and officiated very well."
STAPLES 1 1 -- 2
FAIRFIELD 0 0 -- 0
Records: Staples 12-0; Fairfield 10-2.
Goals: S -- Charlie Perlwitz 2; Assists: S -- Mike Carey; Brendan Nangle; Goalies: S -- Matt Katz (9 saves); F -- Travis Leavy (12 saves); Shots: S -- 11; F -- 6.
