By: Carolyn M. Hartko
The Monroe High School boys’ soccer team will have to wait for the state tournament if it wants to make a splash in post-season play, as the fourth-seeded Falcons were the victims of a second-round upset in this year’s Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.
Thirteenth-seeded Old Bridge snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Monroe, 2-1, at Thompson Park this past Monday. Junior forward Ray Reyes netted the game-winner for the Knights two minutes into the second overtime period. Old Bridge (5-10), advanced to Wednesday’s quarterfinal game at East Brunswick.
"We were the better team because we were higher seeded," Falcon goalkeeper Cory Notaro said. "But we just didn’t have a good day. And we haven’t had a history of playing well in overtime games. We just didn’t get it done."
Falcon head coach Steve MacKenzie corroborated Notaro’s observation on his squad’s performance in long matches by adding, "We’re 0-for-3 in overtime."
Both goals in regulation were scored in the first half. Junior striker Justin Miller put Monroe on the board first just four minutes into the contest. It was 20 minutes before Tim Lucas pulled Old Bridge even when he converted a free kick.
The second period was scoreless, but that doesn’t mean that it was boring. With the emphasis on defense, both goalies were put to the test. The Knights’ Rani Sbeah came up big six times, and Notaro, in his best showing of the season, posted nine for the Falcons. The latter had one fantastic save on a Knight free kick that took a bad bounce to the far post. It’s the kind of situation that keepers hope they are prepared for.
"I’ve been training as a goalie for a long time," Notaro said. "I’ve spent about 12 years of my life dedicated to being a goalie. But a lot of the job is just instinct. You just react, and sometimes you get lucky, like the one that bounced off the post."
With three minutes left in regulation, Notaro made another impossible save, only to have the rebound come back towards the goal. With his teammate out of position, Tim Seyfried took the line and headed that one over the net. Monroe did have one good opportunity to clinch the game in regulation. Back downfield after the double save, Miller got his head on the ball, but the shot skimmed the top of the crossbar.
With their ouster from the GMCT, the Falcons (11-4-1) spent the rest of the week preparing for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Tournament. The state pairings were due to be posted on Thursday or Friday of this week. MacKenzie was expecting a first round bye, and Monroe will be at home for at least their first game of the state tourney.
