Sports Shorts

The Allentown Attack U11 boys travel soccer team clinched a first-place finish in the National 2 division of MOSA recently. Allentown played against a very game East Windsor Dragons squad in what would prove to be a very well played game by both teams. The Attack came out strong from the opening tap as they were determined to clinch first place on their own field in their final home game of the season. Allentown’s front line exerted pressure right away as they tried for that all important first score. Numerous shots were fired either wide or high of the net as Allentown fired away. David Cohen was able to break the ice, as he launched a long high shot from his center mid-field position just out of the reach of the Dragons’ keeper. The Attack’s front line continued to press as Alec Scarano launched several hard shots from his left wing position and Steven Hensley generated numerous scoring opportunities from the right wing as well. Allentown’s second goal came on a breakaway by striker Anthony Derisi, as he displayed his ball-handling prowess. Derisi split the defense with a deft feint and came in alone on the keeper. He displayed tremendous composure as he waited for the keeper to commit, switched sides with the ball and slid the ball into the net for the second goal of the match. Allentown went into the half up by the score of 2-0.

East Windsor came out very strong in the second half as they would not go down without a fight. Allentown’s midfield tandem of Brady Koontz, Kevin Gallagher and Nicholas Miles played very strong games as they were called upon to race end-to-end to support both the offensive and defensive zones. Allentown’s defense was up to the challenge as they thwarted every Dragon’s advance. Jake Calvitti and Cameron Mory shut down the Dragons’ wings, and the center defensive tandem of Evan Byrnes and Ryan Darrell were a force to be reckoned with in the middle for Allentown. Steven Hensley went down with an ankle bruise, but Justin Patrylow filled in strongly up front for the Attack. Hensley returned to the game midway in the second half, broke in on the goal, made the goalie commit, and drilled in the third goal of the match for the Attack. Patrick McCarthy, Alexander Valentino, and Patrick Dawes continued to apply the pressure up front for Allentown as they refused to let East Windsor back in the game. Nathaniel Marquez made several key saves for Allentown, as they improved their record to 6-1-2. The Attack will wrap up their spring campaign with an away game at Freehold on Sunday, June 4.

The UFA 40 had an away match to Brick, with the team hoping to put an end to a three-game losing streak. Things were not looking good initially with only 10 players showing up for the game with the balance of the squad on tournament duty with their kids’ teams. The Brick squad were able to “loan” a player to UFA, allowing them to get started. Surprisingly enough, despite the hot weather and lack of subs, UFA 40 took control of the game from the onset. Within 10 minutes they got an early goal from Larry Kaplan, and after that, they never looked back. With Kirk Bullock filling in in goal for the absent Martin Scarano, and sweeper Alan Nicholls back on his usual strong game, the defense was never truly threatened. It was with that in mind that left back Didier Mory decided to make a run up the left wing. After a smooth one-two pass with Kaplan, he found himself unmarked in the goal area, where he calmly controlled the ball before firing it past the stranded keeper. This was Mory’s first goal since joining the team four years ago, a tremendous solo effort. After that, it was clear sailing for UFA. In the second half they were awarded a direct free kick on the edge of the area. Tseren ( ‘Z’ ) Ombadykow confidently strode up and one-timed it over the wall and into the far top corner of the net. It was a brilliant goal that had both teams applauding. Kaplan would wrap up the scoring five minutes later with his second goal and the team’s fourth, a simple header after a nice cross from the left wing. Bullock had a busy morning in goal, but kept a clean sheet in recording his second shutout as guest goalkeeper. Danny Teixeira had a very strong game in midfield, with his usual partner Amaro Pereira missing. Teixeira did a great job controlling the flow of the game. Next week UFA 40 are at home to Sayreville – a 9 a.m. kick-off at the Mark Harbourt Soccer Complex.

The U14 Allentown United girls traveled down to Virginia to take part in a Memorial Weekend Tournament that would attract over 600 teams from the Eastern Seaboard and even a few from as far away as California. United were placed in the top flight in their age group, and so going in, they knew that they were in for a weekend of top-level soccer. They would lose the first two games on Saturday by scores of 1-0 and 2-0 against teams from Virginia and Princeton. These were very closely contested matches. As in the previous Memorial Tournament in 2005 when the team travelled down to Florida to play, this would be a very well-matched competition.

On Sunday morning United played a team from New York. It was here that they would record their only victory of the tournament, a 1-0 win. Dawn Taylor scored from a perfectly taken direct kick from 20 yards out that hit the top corner of the net before the keeper could even move. At the other end, goalie Diana Braun had another very strong tournament, helping the defense to keep the scoring to a minimum. United finished second in their flight, with the team from Princeton taking top honors. Next week Allentown returns to MOSA Premier play with their last game of the season away to Wall. If United win this game they’ll finish second in the league, a very impressive showing for their first year playing at the highest level.

Freehold Borough High School has vacancies for the following coaching positions – girls’ head tennis coach and assistant football coach. Candidates must have earned a minimum of 60 college credits. Interested candidates should call (732) 431-8360, ext. 8370, for more information.

The 2006 Future Stars Baseball Camp will be held at Michael J. Tighe Park, Freehold Township, on June 26-30. The camp is directed by Lou Piccola, former head coach at Xaverian High School, and Frank DelGeorge, the head coach at St. Francis College. There will be two sessions, one for players ages 7-8 and one for players 9-13. The session for 7-8-year-olds will run from 9 a.m. to noon and the fee is $100. The session for ages 9-13 will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the fee is $150. For more information on the baseball camp, call (732) 577-9625.

The East Windsor PAL Amazons U15 (fall) girls travel soccer team is holding tryouts for next season. The Amazons currently play at the National 1 level in the MOSA league. Girls may attend open practices. Tryouts are scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 10:30 a.m. to noon and Tuesday, June 6, 6:30-8 p.m. Interested players born on or after Aug. 1, 1991, should contact Mitch Douglass at (609) 426-1256 for more information about tryouts and practice schedule.