BRHS boys’ soccer keeps up great play

By: Sean Moylan
   Although the Bordentown Regional High School boys’ soccer team was very happy to capture lopsided victories over Medford Tech and New Egypt last week, it was eager to dominate a very good team too.
   That chance came up this past Tuesday at Palmyra, as the Scotties pounced on a good Palmyra Panthers team and walked away with a 3-0 win.
   Jesse Harrison scored a second-half goal (assisted by Eric Bijou) and assisted on D.J. Kafer’s first-half tally. Regarded as one of the best passers in Burlington County, Harrison has scored a total of nine goals this season. Frank Korosec scored Bordentown’s first goal with an assist by Dean Kreiser. Bordentown held Palmyra to just five shots while it took 18 shots on goal. C.J. Dixon made five saves for the Scotties to record the shutout.
   "They have a very smart coach who has his guys ready to play soccer," added Bordentown head coach Mike Brennan of Palmyra.
   On Saturday, Bordentown whipped New Egypt 7-0 at New Egypt.
   "It was one of those games where we scored early and it got ugly early. But New Egypt is not a bad team," said Brennan, who compared the game with his team’s lopsided loss to Cinnaminson earlier in the season.
   In that contest Bordentown fell behind early and could never quite get back in the game. In the game versus the Warriors, Harrison had two goals and an assist while Bijou and Matt Vanekoven each chipped in with a goal and an assist. Kafer, Drew Turgyan and Peter Paye had the Scotties’ other goals while Chris Mallett and Kam Singh each chipped in with an assist. Bordentown won the shots on goal battle 24-3. Chris Schaeffer played in goal and earned the shutout.
   Last Thursday Kreiser, Harrison, who had an assist, and Kafer all scored goals in Bordentown’s 3-0 road win over Medford Tech.
   "We played very well except when it came to finishing," noted Brennan, whose team had a 21-3 advantage in shots on goal. "They’re no pushover."
   Shaeffer made three saves to blank Medford. And Kyle Creegan picked up an assist in the contest.
   While the Scotties (9-3-2) have qualified for the playoffs, they have some major tests coming up. Bordentown was scheduled to have hosted Burlington Township yesterday (Wednesday). But the big one is next Tuesday when it’s scheduled to host Cinnaminson.
   "I’m looking forward to our practice sessions this week before the Cinnaminson game," noted Brennan, who’ll try to put his club in the best position possible to post a victory.
   FLORENCE

   After a slew of rainouts and Cancellations, the Florence High School boys’ soccer team actually got in a game this week.
   The Flashes pounded Pemberton 5-1 on Tuesday at Florence. D.J. Pittinger had two goals while Milo Milosovici, Nick Schmidt (assisted by Joe Laureti) and Cory Haluska each chipped in with a goal.
   Florence led 5-0 at the half and never looked back as John Bartosh (8 saves) and Greg Gonzales (4 saves) combined for the win. Florence took 15 shots.
   Florence was scheduled to have hosted New Egypt yesterday (Wednesday). It is scheduled to host Life Center Academy on Friday. It is scheduled at Palmyra on Tuesday.
   LCA

   The Life Center Academy boys’ varsity soccer team spent the first month of the season just learning to play the game of soccer.
   But last Thursday everything finally came together for the Warriors in a 5-3 home win over American Christian at Florence.
   "That was the best game the boys played all year," said Art Steffen, the head coach of the Warriors. "Kevin Bailey had the best game of his career with two goals and two assists. They had two defenders on him in the end."
   Justin Rodregus netted a pair of goals while Jacob Foerter also scored for LCA. The game was not as close as the final score and several LCA players were calling for an offsides on American Christian’s last goal.
   Everybody played well, including LCA goalie Anthony Pena who made 19 saves. On defense Timmy Steffen, Tom Kurtz, Jim Hettler and Andrew Spright all stood out. But Steffen stood out the most.
   "Timmy (Steffen) must have slide-tackled at least 15 times that game. Timmy gets all ball," said Steffen.
   Steffen actually knew his team was ready to start winning after a 2-1 home "loss" to Mercer Christian on October 3rd.
   "We had 39 shots on goal and they had 13 and we still couldn’t get the ball in the net," said Steffen. Daniel Valquez scored the Warriors’ goal.
   Things have definitely changed. LCA began the season with losses to Allentown (7-0), Moorestown Friends (5-2) and Saint Mary’s (3-2) before finally breaking into the win column with a 5-0 triumph at Philadelphia International Christian on September 21st.
   "Ace" Rivera had a pair of goals in that one while Valquez and Ji Jeone each tallied a goal.
   Plumstead Christian blanked LCA on September 22nd and Trenton shut out LCA on September 25th. But after a 4-2 loss versus Solebury on September 26th, LCA rebounded with a 2-1 win over Girard on September 28th. Kyle Marrerro scored both of Life Center Academy’s goals in that one.
   But now Steffen sees the light at the end of the tunnel and he comments, "These last two games were the best games my kids played all year."
   LCA may be 3-7, but it’s ready to win. LCA is scheduled at Florence on Friday. It is scheduled to play International Christian on Monday and Saint Mary’s on Tuesday.
   NBC

   The NBC boys’ varsity soccer team’s scheduled home game versus Pemberton was also rained out and will be made up on Monday as well.
   NBC (5-4) was scheduled to have hosted Willingboro yesterday (Wednesday). It is scheduled to host Bordentown next Wednesday.