By: Neil Hay
As the season winds down, the Allentown High School boys’ soccer team is trying hard to add wins wherever possible.
In one game last week, a win was very much attainable; in another, highly unlikely. When it was over, both games had gone according to form.
On Oct. 25, the Redbirds were at West Windsor-North. The first-year program, looking for its sixth win of the fall, provided the Redbirds with a challenge. But Allentown, scoring twice in each half, had enough to post a 4-0 victory.
Brian Harrison (2), Evan Amos, and Mike McCanns, the players expected to be the leaders on offense, provided the goal production for Allentown. Allentown had 20 shots to 15 for North. As usual, Jon Bruno played very well in net: his 12 saves preserved the shutout.
Looking back at the win, coach Joe Stanzione said, "We played very well. It was a game we should win. 4-0 was pretty decisive. We dominated. We took it to them the whole game. That’s a good young team there (North). We played well."
That outcome was expected. So was Saturday’s, a 4-1 loss at Hopewell Valley. The Hopewell result was not a surprise. Why? The Bulldogs are now 15-2- 2. Their record speaks for itself.
Allentown scored in the first half when McCanns hit the back of the net. Hopewell scored twice in each half for the win.
Hopewell had 25 shots with Bruno making 12 saves. The Redbirds managed nine shots.
The game was part of Hopewell’s Homecoming Day festivities. As many as 1000 people milled around the field. Easily it was the largest crowd the Redbirds played before this season.
"Hopewell is an excellent team," said Stanzione. "The kids never stopped playing. Hopewell is just the better team. I was proud of our kids."
The loss dropped the locals to 7-11-1. The season was scheduled to end two days ago against winless McCorristin. One final chance for Allentown to add to its 2000 victory total.

