BRHS boys’ soccer clinches playoff spot

BY: Sean Moylan Sports Writer
    According to some so-called experts, joining the Liberty Division was suppose to be the downfall of the Bordentown Regional High boys’ varsity soccer team. But lo and behold, Bordentown has a sparkling 9-4-1 and the honors and accolades are already starting to roll in for the Scotties and it won’t even be playoff time for another two weeks or so.
    “We made the New Jersey Coaches’ Tournament. We believe it’s the first time in the school’s history. We’ll be playing Rancocas Valley at RV on Friday. I believe we’re the only blemish (Bordentown tied RV 1-1 on September 18th) on their record,” said Scotties’ head boys’ varsity soccer coach Mike Brennan, whose highly-skilled team recently qualified for the state tournament as well.
    Rancocas Valley is 12-0-1 and a 2-1 win over Saint Benedict’s on October 11th combined with their other quality wins may have catapulted the Red Devils into the Top Ten in the entire nation when the new rankings come out some time this week . But with nothing to lose, the Scotties should, nevertheless, be loose and ready for Friday’s big showdown. Moreover, the Scotties have so much firepower, there is never too much pressure on any one player.
    Last Thursday, five different Scotties scored in a Bordentown’s 5-0 triumph over Woodrow Wilson at Bordentown.
    “The boys did a good job,” said Brennan, who thought Scott Gorish (goal) played an excellent game. Peter Paye (goal and assist), Dylan Scaccetti (goal), Babatunde Lawal (goal), Kyle Bijou (goal), D.J. Kafer (two assists), Drew Turgyan (assist) and Kyle Creegan (assist) all generated offense for the Scotties in the contest. Bordentown scored four first-half goals and then cruised to victory.
    The Scotties lost a tough 2-1 decision to the Falcons last Friday at Burlington Township. It was Bordentown’s second loss to Burlington Township this season as the Falcons had previously nipped the Scotties, 1-0, on September 24th at Bordentown.
    “Township was a frustrating game because I thought we played very, very well. We just didn’t cash in on our opportunities and they did,” said Brennan.
    Tommy Potts, with an assist from Creegan, scored Bordentown’s only goal of the contest in a 1-1 first half. Scotties’ goalie Chris O’Leary made three saves in the game.
    This past Tuesday, Bordentown clobbered Maple Shade 5-1 in a night game played at Joe Lawrence Park.
    “They did well today. We had a wonderful crowd,” said Brennan after Tuesday night’s contest. “I never like when we give up a goal, but I was very happy with the way we played over stretches of the game.”
    Kafer and Lawal each netted a pair of a goals and had an assist. Paye also scored a goal for the winners while Turgyan compiled two assists and Turgyan set up a Scotties’ goal. O’Leary played the first half in goal and recorded three saves. Paul Kwon was the Scotties’ goalkeeper in the second stanza and he too had three saves. Bordentown took 15 shots on goal.
    O’Leary has six shutouts this season. Meanwhile Kafer has seven goals and three assists (unofficially) and the Scotties don’t even have to feature him the way they used to because they have so much scoring depth. This is simply one of the most well-rounded Scotties’ soccer teams in recent memory.
    In addition to the Coaches’ Tournament game, Bordentown is scheduled to play a regular season home game versus Delran next Wednesday.
    FLORENCE
    The Florence High boys’ soccer team has a rough week, losing games to Maple Shade (3-0), Palmyra (4-1) and BCIT Medford (2-1).
    Florence is scheduled to host Holy Cross today at 3:45 p.m. It will be at Burlington City 3:45 p.m. on Friday
    NBC
    The Northern Burlington High boys’ soccer team was defeated by Moorestown (3-0), Delran (3-0) and Holy Cross (1-0).
    Northern Burlington will play at Robbinsville Saturday at 10 a.m. It will be at Burlington City Monday at 3:45 p.m.