By: Sean Moylan
Supremely confident after nearly beating top-ranked Saint Benedict’s Prep, the Peddie boys’ varsity soccer team steam-rolled over J.P.Stevens, 4-0, in last Thursday’s home game.
"As soon as our kids came on the field I had a feeling we would win handily," said Peddie head coach Peter McClellan. "J.P. Stevens is a good soccer team, but they didn’t stand a chance."
Billy Schuler was a human highlight film with a pair of goals and several big plays.
"We scored in the first 10 minutes on an incredible volley by Schuler," said McClellan.
Tim Lee netted a goal and David Reichman had the Falcons’ only second-half tally on a penalty kick, which sailed past the J.P. Stevens’ keeper. Reichman also assisted on a Peddie goal while Mike Blake assisted on another. Nick Sountoulakis and Tyler Cabot each posted a pair of saves to combine for the shutout. Meanwhile, Peddie had 13 shots.
Cabot, a sophomore, made eight saves in Tuesday’s home game versus West Windsor-Plainsboro South. Unfortunately, the Pirates scored a pair of goals to blank Peddie, 2-0.
"It was disappointing. We went down 1-0 in the first half on a corner kick," said McClellan, whose team generated 18 shots on goal. "It was disappointing that we lost, but I was happy with the way we played."
Although Schuler, who has 10 goals this season, didn’t score, McClellan was unconcerned and he added, "Billy is no secret. But he wasn’t a secret in the beginning of the year. He has at least two guys on him every game. What’s remarkable is that he’s been productive with that much attention paid to him."
Earlier on Saturday, Steinert beat Peddie in a weird 3-1 game at home.
"They (the Spartans) played okay, but I don’t think they were better than we were. They got the go-ahead goal with four minutes left in the game. Then with three minutes left, they scored a third goal."
Will Foster played well and scored Peddie’s lone goal.
"Mike Blake had a corner and Wil Foster headed it in," added McClellan.
Peddie actually outshot Steinert, 17-15. Fountoulakis made 10 saves.
Peddie (3-4) has very few, if any, easy games on its schedule. It was scheduled at Saint Joseph’s yesterday (Thursday). It is scheduled to host Hill on Saturday. On Monday it is scheduled at Hightstown. It is scheduled to host Governor Livingston High School on Wednesday.
HHS
For some time, the Hightstown High boys’ varsity soccer team had wanted to get multi-talented Alan Joseph more involved in its scoring. Well last Thursday at Robbinsville, Joseph came alive offensively with a hat trick in the Rams’ 6-0 win over the Ravens.
Tommy Fallon, Josh Cullen (an assist) and Kyle Thornley also posted goals for the victors. Meanwhile Israel Delgado, Nick Caravella, Nikolie Afanasserkor, Bryan Mino Worth and Hector Paucar all had assists for the Rams. Hightstown goalies Adam Henry and Chris LoBianco each made a save as they teamed up to blank Robbinsville. Hightstown led 4-0 at the half and compiled 24 shots on goal.
Last Friday’s scheduled game versus Eastern was cancelled.
Hightstown, however, lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Princeton on Tuesday. While few whistles went in their favor, the Rams have won their share of close games, so they should be able to shake that one off.
Hightstown (5-3) was scheduled to have hosted Hamilton West yesterday (Thursday). Hightstown is scheduled to host Peddie on Monday. On Tuesday, Hightstown is scheduled at Notre Dame.

