Allentown soccer starts 3-1

Redbirds pulling out close wins.

By: Kyle Moylan
   While a 3-1 record certainly would have to be considered a good start, Allentown High School boys’ soccer Coach Joe Stanzione believes his team could be even better.
   Allentown was 3-0 on the season entering this past Monday’s game against Hamilton. Hamilton prevailed, 3-2.
   "That’s a game we probably should have won," Stanzione said. "The ball just didn’t bounce our way. We had our chances."
   Before this game, Allentown was the team pulling out the close wins. Last week against West Windsor South, Allentown prevailed, 2-1.
   Allentown scored its first goal in that win when Mark Fennimore knocked in a cornerkick.
   "He said that he’s done that before," Stanzione noted. "He hit it well and there was just enough wind to swerve it in."
   With two minutes left in the match, Dan Ferraro (assisted by Kent Seber) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal.
   "It started as a free kick for West Windsor, but it got hammered out," Stanzione recalled. "Kent nailed it up for a one-on-one with Dan and the keeper. The ball got ahead of Dan and the keeper had a chance to smother it, but it bounced off of him right to Dan.
   "I was starting to think there might be an OT, but it looked like someone might score. There were a lot of scoring chances."
   In a 2-0 win against Ewing, Steve Gorfmann scored both goals for Allentown. One of Gorfman’s goals was unassisted and Ferraro picked up the assist on the other one.
   Matt Vernon made 7 saves while recording the shutout goal.
   "Matt has played well in every game," Stanzione noted. "There hasn’t been a goal he’s given up this year that has been his fault."
   Against Hamilton, Allentown got off to a lead in the first minute of play. In a scramble out in front of the Hamilton net, Dave Griffith was able to work a pass to Trevot Provost.
   Hamilton came back to score the next three goals. Zac Smith then set up Joe King with a score that closed the gap to 3-2. That’s where it stayed.
   "We had a bunch of chances," Stanzione said. "We just couldn’t put another one in.
   As a result, Allentown is 3-1 on the year. 4-0 would have been great, but 3-1 is still very good."
   NOTES: Allentown was scheduled to face Hightstown yesterday. Allentown will be at Notre Dame for a 4 p.m. start today. Allentown will be back home for a 4 p.m. start against Hopewell Valley on Tuesday and a 3:45 p.m. start against Lawrence next Thursday.