Raiders put attacking style on display

Boys post three soccer victories

By: Rudy Brandl
   The Hillsborough High boys’ soccer team put its new attack minded game to the test in last Thursday’s home opener vs. Immaculata on the stadium turf field.
   Most soccer teams would be tempted to retreat into a defensive shell after allowing a goal early in the first half that cut their lead to 2-1. In the past, the Raiders might have done the same thing.
   Not this year.
   The Raiders continued attacking and were rewarded for their efforts with a 4-2 victory.
   "We did a nice job attacking," Hillsborough head coach Eric Puma said afterward. "Once we started to play the feet and possess the ball a little better, we started to see some results."
   The HHS boys enjoyed a productive week with three straight wins after a tough season opening loss at Bridgewater-Raritan in overtime. They outscored three foes by a 10-2 margin, posting 3-0 shutout victories over Phillipsburg and West Windsor Plainsboro North in non-division games.
   Thursday’s victory over the Spartans put Hillsborough on the board in Delaware East Division play. It also proved that the Raiders can play with a lead that’s been cut in half by a bad goal.
   Immaculata got back in the game by taking advantage of a defensive giveaway in the third minute of the second half. The Raiders were not affected by this sudden turn of events. They simply continued executing their new attacking style of play.
   "Players need to stay positive even when bad things happen," Puma said. "The boys did stay positive and that’s to their credit."
   It took a while before the HHS boys scored again, but by controlling possession they minimized Immaculata’s attempts at tying the game.
   "In the past, we’ve dropped back in a defensive shell," said HHS senior Chase Barbieri, who scored twice in the second half. "If we stay in the same mode we’ve been in the whole game, everyone will stay calm and on the attack. We got more chances and got more goals."
   Barbieri was the finisher on a gorgeous goal that involved several Raiders. John Marcsisin won the ball in midfield and held it before feeding Kyle Downey on the right flank. Downey beat his man to the corner and delivered a perfect cross to Barbieri, who made an acrobatic move at the far post to deflect the ball into the net.
   "That was very nice," Puma said. "Kyle is a very dangerous attacker and he did a great job getting the ball across. Chase was in the right place at the right time."
   The Raiders started slowly in the first half but scored two goals quickly to take a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Yannick Smith and junior Joe Caratozzolo scored to put the home team in command at the break.
   Caratozzolo has emerged as a nice surprise in his first varsity campaign. He was the only HHS player to score a goal in each of the first three games.
   "It’s not surprising how well he’s doing, but it is surprising considering where he’s playing," Puma said. "Joe’s not a forward, he’s a midfielder. He’s very unselfish playing at forward. He’s doing a great job for us."
   Immaculata caught a break and cut the lead to 2-1 early in the second half but the Raiders responded to the challenge. The Spartans didn’t quit, even after Barbieri’s goal. They made it 3-2 on a penalty kick with 4:15 to play but Barbieri answered by hammering home a penalty kick just 29 seconds later to restore the two-goal lead.
   Barbieri leads the Raiders in scoring with five goals in the first four games, but the team has spread the wealth. Puma expects balanced scoring to come from this attacking system, which allows many players to contribute.
   "It’s creating more chances, but I still think we can do better," Puma said. "You don’t learn this in a preseason. It takes a long time. We’re definitely improving and we’re going to stick with it."
   "It’s working pretty well," Barbieri added. "We just need to have a few more games under our belts. We’re going to be a pretty strong force. It’s going to be hard for teams to get it out of their back. We’ll keep putting on the pressure."
   The Raiders have maintained a nice even keel about things so far. They weren’t overly upset about the overtime loss at B-R. They took it in stride and took care of business last week, figuring they’ll see the Panthers again down the road in another big game.
   "It really wasn’t that difficult," Puma said. "These boys bounce back very well. They know that was one game in the entire season. We were disappointed that day, but it’s a long season. This is a tough bunch."
   And it’s one that isn’t afraid to attack.