By: Carolyn M. Hartko
Sometimes results that appear to be lucky are actually due to hard work.
That was the case for the South Brunswick High School boys’ soccer team in this past Monday’s 2-2 tie at Old Bridge. After giving up two goals in the first half, sustained effort in the closing minutes of regulation yielded two "own goals" that sent the game into overtime.
"We came out a little on the flat side to start the game," Viking coach Mark Ziminski said. "We gave up a goal off a throw-in, and then a goal off a transitional situation. So, it was 2-0 at halftime. We had a lot of good opportunities in the in the second half, but we just couldn’t finish. Then we scored two goals in the last three minutes, the last one with 20 seconds left in the game. We really played a hard game. We got a couple of breaks because they were deflected goals, but we earned those."
Senior midfielder Sean Carver and junior striker Joe Clemente each banged shots off Old Bridge defenders in a frantic scramble inside the Knights’ box before the whistle blew to signal the end of regulation.
"In the first overtime, we had an excellent opportunity to actually win the game," Ziminski continued. "In the second overtime, we just hung even with them to get the tie on the road. It was a good result for us, considering how we started off giving up two goals."
The tie, plus a 2-1 victory over J.P. Stevens on Saturday, gives the Vikings an early season record of 2-1-1. Old Bridge, the defending Red Division champion, has an identical record. Ziminski is hoping the tie is a harbinger of a better performance for this year’s squad, compared to the 2000 Vikings.
"Last year, we started off 2-1 as well," the coach said. "Then we went through this week losing to Old Bridge, Piscataway and St. Joe’s. So, even with the tie, we’re progressing from last year. Now we have to see how it goes against Piscataway (Wednesday) night, and St. Joe’s on Friday."
South Brunswick was due to host Piscataway on Wednesday evening (after press time) in the second game of a doubleheader in the Viking stadium. They will be at St. Joseph’s in Metuchen on Friday after school.
Ziminski pointed out that his squad has started out the last three games (East Brunswick, JPS and Old Bridge) by giving up a few early goals. That’s why the hustle the Vikings displayed in the closing minutes against the Knights was heartening. But shoring up the defense is something South is working on, to give goalie Anthony Clemente (nine saves) some support.
"Anthony’s done a good job the last couple of games," Ziminski said. "Our total team defense isn’t where it needs to be just yet, so he’s seen a few more shots than I would like him to, but he’s hanging right in there. He’s playing well."
Strengthening the defense will go a long way towards helping the team to meet the goal of coming out of this week even, if not slightly ahead. Piscataway lost a lot to graduation, so Ziminski feels his team should be well matched against the 2001 Chiefs. A win or a tie on Wednesday will send the Vikings into Friday’s game with some confidence.
"This to me is a real pivotal week for our program," Ziminski said. "We want to show that we can make the next step and beat the teams that have been at the top of the division for a number of years. I feel pretty confident about our chances.’

