Bulldogs surprised by Cardinals

Boys SoccerIt wasn’t so much the fact that his team lost its first game of the season. But Hopewell Valley Central High School boys soccer coach Tony Suozzo figured the setback might’ve come a game earlier rather than later.

By: Mike Molaro
   After back-to-back superb defensive efforts that resulted in road triumphs over Colonial Valley Conference foe Steinert, 2-0, on Sept. 12 and cross-town rival Pennington School, 2-1, the next afternoon, the Bulldogs (3-1 overall, 2-1 in the CVC) dropped a 2-0 decision Monday at home to Lawrence.
   After a scoreless first half, junior midfielder Tom Gooban and senior midfielder Justin Hall scored 15 minutes apart to provide the offense against the Spartans. Senior midfielder Joe Bonacci assisted on Gooban’s goal and junior goalie Emeka Ogbonna turned aside seven Steinert shots for his second straight shutout as HoVal held a 19-7 advantage in shots in the night game played at Mercer County Park.
   "We played really well throughout the game," Suozzo said. "I was really pleased with our performance in this game. We had chances in the first half and didn’t score but we connected in the second half.
   "We didn’t give Steinert much. Our defense was outstanding and holding a team like Steinert to seven shots says a lot about how we played."
   After Pennington took a 1-0 first-half lead the following afternoon off a goal by senior midfielder Andrew Reeder, the Bulldogs answered when senior midfielder Jason Pall tied the score with a penalty kick. Sophomore forward Scott Kuppe converted a pass from Bonacci for the game-winning tally in the second half.
   Ogbonna made five saves and Red Raider goalie junior Jake Laub had one.
   "I was really concerned about this game," added Suozzo. "It was an afternoon game following a night game and I didn’t know how the guys would react. We played well enough to win but we could’ve played better.
   "Pennington is always a big game. It’s for bragging rights and its a backyard brawl. We’ve had good matches against them over the years. The guys on both teams know each other. One of the best things about this game was that it was Pennington and that helped get the guys up and motivate them. There was a lot of emotion in the game."
   Lawrence scored two first-half goals to hand HoVal its first setback of the season.
   The Bulldogs came on strong in the second half but the slow start cost them against a solid team like the Cardinals.
   "I was a little disappointed," Suozzo said. "We came out really flat in the first half. After they scored the two goals they packed it in and held on. You can’t afford to give up two goals in the first half. That’s two much of an uphill climb.
   "I have to give full credit to Lawrence. They came out with a game plan and followed it. They wanted to score early and let their defense take over. I told our guys that if we came out flat, they were going to take advantage. I’m not really pleased with our effort. I expected more."
   With a difficult schedule this week that included a visit to West Windsor-Plainsboro North on Wednesday and Saturday’s home date against WW-P South, the Bulldogs need to turn up the intensity a few notches.
   Knowing the pride HoVal possesses, it shouldn’t be too difficult for Suozzo and his guys to meet that challenge.