HoVal ges by with tie

BOYS SOCCER

By: Tim Falls
   There are days when a team can get by not being at its best.
   Those days are dwindling.
   The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys varsity soccer team got by with a tie to Nottingham last Thursday.
   With a berth in the NJSIAA playoffs already clinched with their 9-4-1 record, the Bulldogs could afford the draw.
   Even though Hopewell rallied from a two-goal deficit with a pair of second-half goals by senior Sahkil Nepal to tie the Nottingham, 2-2, the Bulldogs know they’ll need to be better with the Mercer County Tournament starting this weekend and the state tournament soon after.
   "None of us came to play," said Nepal. "We were all sitting flat-footed in the middle of the game."
   That’s why Nottingham was able to score two goals in the first half, while holding Hopewell scoreless.
   Something was obviously off for Hopewell, considering the Bulldogs led in shots, 20-8, in the game yet trailed until midway through the second half.
   "We had the advantage in shots by a lot," said Nepal, "but we missed a lot of opportunities in the first half."
   Showing their skill, the Bulldogs managed to tie the game and remain unbeaten in October.
   "We’ve been playing well, we’ve had a good month," said Hopewell coach Ed Gola. "We’re on a little run, hopefully that will continue."
   Hopewell hasn’t lost this month and are riding a six-game winning streak dating back to a loss to Princeton at the end of September. The steak includes an impressive 4-3 victory over a highly ranked South Brunswick team for Homecoming.
   The Bulldogs got back into the game against the Northstars as Will Alton, Mark Squicciarino and Nepal combined on two scoring plays.
   Both Hopewell goals originated with throw-ins by Alton. Squicciarino then headed the ball to feed Nepal on both goals.
   "We focuses on simple plays," said Nepal. "It came down to two goals in favor of us."
   Hopewell goalie Aaron Utman had five saves in the tie.
   "They were a little flat," admitted Gola. "But we came back in the second half, that’s what’s important."
   With the way Hopewell has played recently, Gola can deal with one lackluster performance, but knows the team will need to be at its best in its upcoming games.
   "Hopefully, they learned that lesson now," said Gola, "when we can get away with a flat game."
   The Bulldogs were schedule to make-up Tuesday’s rainout against Allentown yesterday. Hopewell has Lawrence today and then the real challenge begins on Saturday as the Bulldogs host West Windsor-Plainsboro North in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament.
   "This time of year everybody is playing for something," said Gola. "That’s why it’s good to play this time of year."
   Hopewell has prove it has the talent to do well in the county and state tournaments and hopefully has its off games behind it.
   "We have to be ready to play each game," said Nepal. "We just have to be mentally and physically prepared."