BOYS SOCCER
By: Tim Falls
The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys varsity soccer team suffered its first loss in nine games as Steinert eliminated the Bulldogs from the Mercer County Tournament on Monday.
Prior to that, Hopewell edged West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 4-3, in a shootout after the game remained tied, 0-0, through regulation and two overtime periods.
"It was pretty intense," said head coach Ed Gola. "Both teams had opportunities."
Tim Kianka, Sahkil Nepal , Eric Doran and Chris Tantum converted their penalty kicks in the shootout, whiel Hopewell goalie Aaron Utman made two saves to decide the game in the Bulldogs’ favor.
"Aaron made some big saves," said Gola. "Some in regulation, some in overtime and two in the shootout. He came up big in the shootout with one save at the beginning and the other at the end."
It was Utman’s first shootout experience of the season, although the team has been practicing to prepare for tournament play.
"It’s a different atmosphere when you have to do it live in the game," said Gola. "Your in front of a crowd and the game’s on the line."
Utman had 12 saves between regulation play and overtime and held the Knights scoreless. Gola said the defense remained steady behind the strength of players like Tantum and Brian Skevington.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, even though the led, 22-20, in shots, they remained scoreless as well.
That trend continued, at least offensively for the Bulldogs, against Steinert.
The Spartans didn’t seem to have that problem as they scored once in the first half and added two more goals in the second to advance to the Mercer County Semifinal against Notre Dame.
Steinert held Hopewell to five shots and put pressure on Utman with 12 attempts.
"Steinert’s been on a roll," said Gola. "They’re a solid team. This is all good preparation for the state tournament. You want to play these big games."
The Spartans may have managed three goals against the Bulldogs, but until then Hopewell ‘s defense has been rather stingy.
"Our defensive play has been much better," said Gola prior to the loss to Steinert. "In our first eight games we went 4-and-4 and we gave up 20 goals. In our last nine we’ve gone 7-0-2, and give up seven."
Prior to the opening round of the Mercer County Tournament, Hopewell tied Lawrence , 1-1, last Thursday.
Aubrey Holmes tied the game in the second half with five minutes left to play off an assist from Doran. Lawrence got the go-ahead goal in the first half. Neither team scored in overtime, but both finished with 10 shots.

