Sunday 20th March - MAPS vs. Ocean Township Wizards, 2-1
Good game today overall against a team ranked 8th in NJ and that was 3-0 in MAPS. While I thought the first half was a little sloppy we improved in the 2nd half
and overall created more chances than the opposition. The passing improved in the 2nd half but we still have to be a little better in the final third. Good hustle from Alix Legrand after the GK spilled the ball and good awareness to pick out Marco Carramusa who couldn’t miss from two yards out to tie the game at 1-1 after going behind to a free kick from Ocean. we created numerous chances and in the second half that paid off after a cross from Ryan Mountain the ball eventually found it’s way to Conor Pellas at the top of the six yard box and he placed the ball in the corner to give us the lead. We managed to see the game out without any real scares and could have won the game by more. I believe that 12 months ago this is a game we would have lost so it shows that we are moving in the right direction but still have improvements to make.
Baltimore March Mania
Saturday 26th March - Tournament vs. Vaughan Azzurri, 2-1
The boys played well in very difficult conditions, they dominated the first part of the game and we were unlucky to find ourselves 1-0 after there only shot of the game. We controlled the remainder of the half and missed a few chances, we went in at half time 0-1. I told the players it was important to get an early goal in the second half, and we did just that, a real nice goal set up by Conor Kelly and Alix Legrand and finished well in the bottom corner by Dylan Hammer. We pressed and pressed and missed a hatful of chances and just when it looked like the opposition would escape with a 1-1, Conor Kelly broke free after a nice through ball from Dylan Hammer and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner with 20 seconds to go. nothing short of what we deserved.
Saturday 26th March - Tournament vs. Eagle FC, 0-0
This was our worst performance of the weekend, full of sloppy mistakes, although the field conditions played a role in that. We still tried to play the right way and worked hard throughout the game. We created a lot of chances in the second half in particular, but many poor finishes led to a stalemate, and although our GK’s weren’t tested we failed to take advantage of our chances and the game ended 0-0.
Sunday 27th March - Tournament vs. Bethesda, 0-0
This was the most frustrating perfromance for a while, while we paly some great soccer in tough conditions and created chance after chance after chance. We missed all those chances including three 1 on 1’s as well as a host of other chances, and while the refereeing didn’t help, he shoudn’t have been a factor as we should have had the game sewn up by half time. Our failure to finish our chances was our downfall even though I thought we played well, we just needed to add our finishing and it could have been so different. I think the best team went out of the tournament early but we have to learn to get results when we are the best team and we didn’t do that this weekend.
Saturday 2nd April - MAPS vs. Jersey Knights, 3-3
I thought we started the game fairly well and we controlled the majority of posession, but was very upset to concede the first goal after being on top. We really defend the initial ball very well and our inability to clear the ball hurt us and we found ourseleves 1-0 down. However I was confident in how we started that we would quickly be back in the game. Again we controlled the posession but a few individual errors cost us and we were 2 and then 3-0 down. Before half time we did have chances to get back in the game but half time was a little shell shocking. I did inform the players that I felt we could still win the game even down 3-0. We came out in the 2nd half very lethargic, I was really hoping for some fire but it didnt materialize until 16 minutes to go in the game when Mike DiCola finished off a nice move involving 2 or 3 players. Within a minute it was 3-2, another Mike DiCola goal, this time from a direct free kick that he curled into the bottom corner. The come back was complete, when Dylan Hammer spread the ball wide and Vinny Marna beat the left defender, composed himself and and picked out an unmarked Marco Carramusa in the middle who made it 3-3. Whiel I was disappointed with the performance the character the team showed was very pleasing.
Sunday 3rd April - MAPS vs. East Brunswick, 2-3
Sunday was our first defeat of the season, and probably was deserving. I felt the opposition really out worked us and simalar to April 2nd, defensiviely we were sleeping and made some really poor mistakes. We didn’t maintain posession at all and were sloppy in decision making and technically all over the field we were poor. We couldn’t argue at being 2-0 down at half time, but once again I praise the character of the players to come back to 2-2 with goals from Conor Kelly and Vinny Marna, both great finishes when one on one with the goalkeeper. But just when I was about to praise the players for again coming back from the dead, more poor defending cost us the 3rd goal. This game summed up the weekend, very sloppy, slow and without a whole lot of hard work rate. We will need to imprve if we are to beat the same opposition next week in State Cup.
Sunday 10th April - NJYSA National State Cup vs. East Brunswick, 1-0
Paying the same team twice in a week and losing to them the first time was probably a blessing in disguise. We were made to work hard for this win against a very hard working, organized, well coached team. We were not able to control the ball as much as we have done in games this season but when we had the ball we were fairly productive. A hard fought first half finished 0-0, but I felt we could use our speed in the midfield and up front to get a goal or two, and if our defenders continued to play as superbly as they did in the first half I thought we could come out on top. The second half was very similar to the first, chances were few and far between, with both GK’s not really having to make many saves. With 10 minutes remaining we got a corner that was swung in by Dylan Hammer and met by Conor Kelly, his headed was on goalbound but Evan Cohen controlled the ball and knocked it down for Tim Dibisceglie to fire home from 4 yards out. We managed to contain some late pressure and just about deserved the 1-0 win.
Sunday 10th April - US Club Soccer NJ Cup vs. NJ Rangers Atlas, 2-1
I was extremely proud of the players at the end of this game, to play two full games that mean so much is very physical, mentally and emotionally draining and the players really gave everything they had. After going a goal down early to a long range shot, the response couldn’t have been better, we took over the posession and started to create chances, drawing level after Vinny Marna slipped a slide rule pass into the bottom corner. 1-1 at half time, but we after the first 15 minutes we were the better side. The second half was similar, Danny Reilly hitting the crossbar with a nice effort. We pressured and pressured but the ball just would not fall our way, but with 10 minutes left a long diagnol ball had Mike DiCola going through on the keeper when they both collided with each other and the referee pointed to the spot. I certainley sympathized with the complaints of the opposing players but the decision had been made. Mike DiCola who was injured on the play stepped up and slotted the PK home. We saw out the game without much incident other than the scuffle towards the end of the game. But a job well done.
Saturday 16th April - MAPS USCL vs. YMS Renegades, 3-1
We braved the elements on Saturday and playing in a new formation in preparation for Sunday State Cup, I thought we would would take a while to settle in. But I thought the first half performance in tough conditions were as good as it got this year so far, we moved the ball well and took our chances. We worked through a few kinks in the new system but I was very pleased at half time. First half goals from Alix Legrand from a Dylan Hammer low cross and Dylan Hammer himself saw us 2-0 up at half time. The second was a little sloppier but we still controlled the game, but the opposition worked a little harder and started to put us under a little bit of pressure, they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 mid way through the second half. But we moved up another gear and Dylan Hammer added his second, our third to the scoreline to finish 3-1.
Sunday 17th April - NJYSA National State Cup vs. Next Level SA, 1-0
Playing in a new formation was always going to be tough, but I thought we started the game very well and took control of possesion early and immediately create chances. A foul against Vinny Marna led to Conor Pellas scoring the free kick from 20+ yards with the ball barely crossing the line, but confirmation from the Referee’s assistant led to a 1-0 scoreline. With players playing out of position and with a light roster the palyers really dug deep and were in control of the game and could have stepped it up another gear if needed. We saw out the second half without much incident and now onto the quarter finals!
Friday 22nd April - MSSL Spring College Showcase vs. Bayside, 0-1
This was the most disappointed I’d been this year with a performance. I felt it was very blah and not a lot of energy and passion. The goal we conceded we couldn’t do anything about as it was a screamer into the top corner. We only creatd 1 or 2 chances in the game and really thought that the game was even becasue we were not at our best. One to forget.
Friday 22nd April - MSSL Spring College Showcase vs. Lake Grove Rebels, 3-1
A much better performance than the first game, we passed the ball much better and created a ton of chances. It was helped by going 1-0 up early from a free kick from Conor Pellas. We controlled most of the ball and I felt it was only a matter of time before we scored again. We added a second from a corner kick. At half time we were comfortable and in the second half we could have added 3 or 4 more from the chances we created. Marco Carramusa added a thrid from a Mike DiCola shot, the only negative being the free kick we conced with a minute to go or so. But overall a great performance and result against the number 5 tema in NYE.
Saturday 23rd April - MSSL Spring College Showcase vs. Cherry Hill Hammerheads, 1-1
We knew this was an important game and we started really well in tough conditions. The effort we showed was fantastic. We peppered their goal with shots and looked comfortable at the back against a team quick on the counter attack. At half time I was very happy with what we showed in the first half and thouht we were unlucky not to be ahead. The second half was even better, we kept the ball, created chances and through everything but the kitchen sink at the opposition. With 2 minutes remainnig we got the goal from a corner kick, with Mike DiCola finishing off of a Conor Kelly header towards goal. Just as we thought we had got the deserved victory, they pumped the ball forward and it broke at a tough angle for the left forward who smashed the ball into the top corner, it was very deflating but also unlucky, We certainly deserved to win the game. 2 out of the 3 games were very good in tough conditions with only 1 or 2 subs. I was very proud of all the players.
Saturday 30th April - US Club State Cup vs. NJSA Highland, 2-2 (4-3 on PK’s)
We started the game very well and the first half performance was probably the best I’ve seen this year. We kept the ball in the opponents half, we switched the field, created chances and look very dangerous. The work rate was fantastic and that coupled with solid defense it really controlled the game against an excellent team. We created chances but didnt finish early on, but got the deserved lead after about 20 minutes. Dylan Hammer counter attacked from an NJSA free kick around our box and took on three players driving 60 yards down field. He managed to cross to the back post and Jimmy Rumen, who had sprinted 70 yards to get there, managed to put the ball in the corner at the back post with his left foot. A real counter attacking goal. We continued to dominate the first half and as time expired and we entered the second minute of injury time and inocuious looking ball into the box and a player falling led to a soft penalty. After such a good first half we were unlucky to be tied 1-1 at half time. Although not quite a dominate in the second half, I believe we still shaded it and created two or three great chances. But with 7 minutes to go the only defensive lapse we had all game from our back four (who were superb all game) led to the NJSA right midfielder hitting the end line and cutting the ball back for the on rushing attacker and all of a sudden after being so good we were 2-1 down with only a handful of minutes to go. However, something that has been a constant all year is our inability to give up and we pressed and pressed in the last few minutes and ultimately got our just deserts with a major case of deja vu as two minutes into injury time at the end of the game, Vinny Marna was tripped in the box and Mike DiCola calmly smashed the ball into the top corner. Overtime was a bit of a non event as both players were tired and looked like they had settled for PK’s. On to the lottery of the penalty shootout. Spenser Heller stepped up first and scored. NJSA had there first penalty saved by Dylan Castanheira. Conor Pellas then scored and was match by NJSA. Mike DiCola had his well saved and NJSA then scored, making it 2-2 after three PK’s. Vinny Marna made it 3-2 and NJSA matched him and made it 3-3 after 4. Dylan Hammer slotted in the 5th to make it 4-3 and Dylan Castanheira guessed right and made a great save to deny NJSA’slast penalty taker, giving us a deserved 4-3 victory on penalites.
Saturday 7th May - US Club State Cup Quarter Final vs. Freehold, 0-1
We got off to a slow start in the game against an aggressive team that closed down well and when they had the ball kept very good posession. However we slowly worked our way back into the game even though we found ourselves second best in the first quarter of the game. We did create a couple of half chances while Dylan Castanheira didn’t have too much to do in our goal. However a couple of mistakes led tothe ball breaking for Freehold about 25 yards out and the player hit a rocket in the top corner to make it 1-0. At half time we still felt we could get back into the game but even at the start of the second half we still were careless with the ball and surrendered posession easily. As time went on we became a little more desperate but a little more dangerous and for the last 20 minutes we really through everything at them but just couldn’t find that killer pass or killer shot to get the equalizer. As the time ran out we were left to wonder what may have been. The most frustrating thing was that we weren’t anywhere near our best and it took a 25 yard strike to beat us, yet another fantastic goal that we have given up!
Sunday 8th May - MAPS vs. New Egypt, 4-0
We started the game a little slow, maybe a slight hangover from the game the day before, but after 10 minutes we settled down and we took comfortable control of the game. The first goa game from Mike DiCola, side footing the ball from the top of the box after a nice back pass from Marco Carramusa to set him up. The second goal came after great work down the left that saw Spenser Heller get towards the end line and beat the keeper from at the near post. At half time we really were in command of the game and could have been more than 2-0 up. The third came half way through the second half after Dylan Hammer was fouled in the box, up stepped Danny Reilly to score his first of the season. The rout was confirmed in injury time when the ball was played across goal and after a defensive miscue fell to Dylan Hammer who finished into the bottom corner. 4-0 was nothing more than we deserved.
Sunday 15th May - NJYSA National State Cup Quarter Final vs. NJ Rangers, 1-1, 4-1PK’s
Coming into this game with a few injuries I thought we would take a while to get into the game, but we started well. It was a very close, tense first half with either GK not really having much to do in. At half time the game was 0-0. The second half started bright and 10 minutes in Conor Pellas went through one on one with the GK and unfortunately hit the top of the post before bouncing away. That was really the only good chance for both teams in the second half other than a few long range efforts. As the second half fizzled out and we headed to overtime I was concerned playing the extra 30 minutes as we had no subs after Marco Carramusa picked up an injury early in the second half. However we flew out of the traps in overtime and within 60 seconds Conor Pellas played a nice through ball to Alix Legrand who smashed the ball into the top corner to give us the 1-0 lead. At half time in over time we felt pretty comfortable. But two minutes we conceded a needless free kick and from 35 yards the ball looped over Dylan Castanheira and hit the bar, came back and hit Dylan and went in to make it 1-1. The overtime period came to an end and we headed to the dreaded penalties. Spenser Heller scored first, 1-0. Dylan Castanheira saved their first PK but the referee deemed he had moved off the line and the retaken penalty was scored, 1-1. Conor Pellas stepped up and scored, 2-1. Castanheira saved their second keeping it 2-1 and Mike DiCola scored making it 3-1. Castanheira then saved another one and Vinny Marna stepped up and scored the winning penalty, 4-1.
Saturday 21st May - NJYSA National State Cup Semi Finals vs. TSF, 1-1, 1-4PK’s
I have to say that I thought this was one of the gutsiest performances I have ever seen. I was extremely proud of every player. We had an injury revaged team and every player stepped up. Nine players played all 110 minutes on a hot day down at Wall. We conceded a goal mid way through the first half but kept plugging away and trying to create chances that were through are far between for both teams throughout the game. With set pieces looking mor and more likely to produce goals in the game. We changed things at half time and the players responded and got their just deserts 20 minutes into the second half when Vinny Marna was put through and he chipped it over the GK after the ball broke off of the GK to him. As we went into OT we were very heavy legged but kept working very hard. In fact probably had one of the best chances in the whole game, when a wide free kick found an unmarked Alix Legrand but he couldn’t steer his header into the bottom corner and missed by a whisker. The dreaded penalites came again and our luck finally ran out after going 2-0 in PK’s this year. TSF scored first and Spenser Heller answered, 1-1. they scored again and Conor Pellas had his saved, 1-2, they scored there third and an extremely tired Mike DiCola missed, 1-3 thry stepped up and clinched it with the fourth PK, 1-4. But a great effort and the players have a lot to be proud of.
