The Allentown X-treme U-8 boys travel soccer team spent their Memorial Day Weekend hard at work at the annual Hopewell Memorial Day Soccer Tournament. Over the course of two days the boys played four matches and finished with a record of 1-1-2. The X-treme carried this record while challenging three veteran U9 teams.
This past Saturday the X-treme hosted Middletown in what some considered the match of the season. The X-treme was determined to avenge an early season loss on their own turf. Things started out shaky after a first-minute goal by Middletown. Allentown was not about to toss in the towel, however. Soon enough Connor Sullivan sent Matthew Derisi the first cross to be sunk into Middletown’s net. The X-treme defense, consisting of Joey Patrylow, Kevin Primich, Rory Green, Robert Ellerson and goalie Josh Samuels, would not succumb to another goal during the first half.
Allentown came out fully charged in the second half. Offensive linemen Jake Alessi, Justin Scarano, Kevin Pereira, and Eric Sullivan attacked without mercy. Unfortunately, Middletown was able to capitalize sooner and took a 2-1 lead. Connor Sullivan was determined to have his vindication and so chose to feed a netter to William Sjastaad. Matthew Derisi preferred a win over a tie. He made a sensational pass to William Sjastaad, who then scored his second goal of the day. Brody Zauner nearly popped his stitches as he cheered his team onto victory. Allentown won the match by a score of 3-2. They finished their first exceptional season with a final record of 8-2-0. More importantly, the young boys of Allentown proved they can play with anyone. Fortunately, the best is yet to come. Coaches Jody and Martin Scarano were very pleased with their team’s first season.
“We want to thank all the players, parents and the Upper Freehold-Allentown Youth Soccer Association,” said Jody Scarano. “It was the support of all these groups that made this inaugural season so special.”
The Allentown-MASA Grizzlies U-11 boys soccer team wrapped up their spring season on Sunday with a 7-1 victory over the Tinton Falls Panthers. The Grizzlies started the game with only 11 players on a hot afternoon, with Ernie Tessein and Kyle Golla both out with injuries. The endurance challenge intensified when key defender Luke Olexsak had to leave the game due to illness. The remaining defensive team of Zack Caruso, Matt Molnar, and Danny Lamb rose to the task and kept the ball out of the Grizzlies half for most of the game. Christian Millar tended the Grizzlies goal for the first half and was called upon to make a diving save when the Panthers striker managed to get loose. In the early going on offense for the Grizzlies, a hard shot by a determined Nick Caruso came off the crossbar to Matt Fleischacker, who finished well for the first Grizzlies goal. A few minutes later, Fleischacker ran down another rebound and put that in the net, too. Then Grizzlies forward John Lansing went to work and found the net on two separate drives from the left to give the Grizzlies a 4-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Danny Lamb took over in goal, while Millar moved out to the midfield and kept up the Grizzlies’ pressure. Lansing completed the hat trick on a long shot from the right, and Scott Nicholson followed with a score on a long drive from the middle. The Panthers caught the Grizzlies defense off guard and scored on a rebound after Danny Lamb initially blocked a hard shot at the end of a breakaway.
The Grizzlies responded immediately with an offensive surge that Kyle Alston finished with a sliding toe-poke to get the Grizzlies their seventh and final goal. The Grizzlies completed their season in MOSA competition with a record of 8-1-0. The Grizzlies are coached by Dan Caruso, with help from Matt Molnar and Bob Nicholson.
On the first really hot weekend of the season, UFA 40 had to start with the bare 11 players. Injuries and other commitments stopped the rest of the squad from attending. The match was played in Sayreville on possibly the worst field the team will see all season — very long grass, with large scattered patches of dirt, which made for a pretty ugly game. With that being said, UFA took an early lead on a breakaway by forward Larry Kaplan on a through ball from Dan Caruso. After controlling the ball he hit a nice low shot into the corner, leaving the Sayreville goalie no chance to save.
With Didier Mory once again asked to fill in in goal, and doing a tremendous job, the UFA defense was able to make the one goal stand up until well into the second half. At this point, after failing to clear the ball out of the area, a Sayreville forward got the equalizer with a hard drive over Mory and into the roof of the net. Then with just minutes left in the game, and the UFA side wilting under the hot sun, Sayreville got the winner on a crossed ball that took a deflection into the net, leaving Mory stranded going the other way. This close game, played under trying conditions with no subs, saw UFA handed just their second loss of the season. Next week they are away to Jackson at Patriots Park.
Tryouts for Upper Freehold-Allentown travel soccer teams start this weekend. Interested players should report to the Mark Harbourt Soccer Complex prepared to play (cleats, shin guards, plenty of water). Players are encouraged to attend all sessions, but must attend at least one session to be eligible. Schedule below:
Boys U-9 X-treme — 6/11 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; 6/14 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; and 6/16 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Girls U-11 Charge — 6/11 from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.; 6/13 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; and 6/15 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
BoysU-11 Attack — 6/11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; 6/14 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.; 6/16 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Boys U-12 Grizzlies — 6/11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; 6/14 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.; 6/16 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Girls U-14 United — 6/11 from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.; 6/13 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; 6/15 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Boys U-14 — 6/11 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; 6/13 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.; 6/15 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Boys U-15 Red Storm — 6/11 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; 6/14 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.; 6/16 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.