By: Neil Hay
They played 76 minutes of soccer. And each team had one goal to its credit.
But at the 77th minute, with regulation time slipping away, Mike McCanns tallied an unassisted goal to lift the visiting Allentown High School boys’ soccer team past host Hamilton, 2-1.
It was the Redbirds’ first "W" of the season after four setbacks.
Surprisingly, when the Redbirds came out in the opening half, they looked ready to put several scores on the board. After just two minutes of play Andrew Barlow set up David Griffiths for a quick 1-0 lead. But that would be it for the Redbirds until McCanns’ late tally.
"It was a good game. Their field is tough, kind of bouncy. It was a good win. We played well," said Allentown coach Joe Stanzione afterwards.
The teams went into the half with the score tied 1-1. Allentown ‘keeper Jon Bruno made a couple of big saves in the first half that thwarted Hamilton chances.
"Bruno played well. He would come out of the net early to get the ball before he had to make a save. He played a good, smart game. He had no chance on Hamilton’s goal.
"It was good to get that first win of the season," added Stanzione. "Everyone played well."
The Redbirds let one get away last Friday when they allowed three unanswered goals in visiting Ewing’s 4-3 win.
Said Stanzione, "That was a game we should have won."
Ahead 3-1, the Blue Devils scored three in a row in the second half to take the win.
"Ewing is a nice, athletic team," Stanzione noted. "It was one of those games we should have won but didn’t."
Bryan Harrison had two goals and Griffiths one. Bruno made 10 saves in net.
This one at least was close. Such was not the case last Wednesday in Allentown’s 7-0 loss at West Windsor-South. The Pirates scored two quick goals and never looked back.
"It was uphill from there. They are a strong team. They will do well."
Allentown played a solid game but came up one goal short in a 2-1 loss at Princeton back on September 11th. McCanns (from David Nicholson) had the locals’ only goal.
"That was a really good goal," said Stanzione. "It was a great game to watch, our best game so far. Princeton’s field is in top shape. It was a fast game, with a lot of good passing. No one had an easy play."
Bruno had 12 shots as Allentown was outgunned 16-6. The game was tied 1-1 at the half, but the Tigers scored the winner midway through the second half.
The season began for Allentown back on September 8th with a 3-0 loss at Trenton. The Redbirds had 20 shots to 11 for the Tornadoes. Bruno made eight saves.
"We played really well, but we just couldn’t put the ball in. We are averaging 15 or 17 shots a game. We just can’t find a way to put it in. But we are coming around. We are getting better. It is a matter of the kids sticking with the game plan and doing what we do best. We have to take it to the other team, not the other way. We have to force the other teams to make mistakes."
NOTES: Allentown was scheduled to face Notre Dame yesterday. Allentown will be back in action on Friday when it hosts Hightstown in a 3:45 p.m. start. Allentown will also be home to face Hopewell Valley 3:45 p.m. on Monday.
