HHS boys shocked in county tourney

Team sets sights on division

by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
   For the second straight Saturday, a Hillsborough High soccer team was shocked on its home turf in the Somerset County Tournament.
   The HHS boys were the victims this time in another example of how soccer can be the most cruel and unfair sport on the planet. The Raiders controlled most of the action, had the lion’s share of scoring opportunities and even held a brief lead but couldn’t produce a victory in Saturday’s SCT quarterfinal game vs. Bernards.
   One week after the HHS girls suffered a shocking 3-0 elimination loss to Mount St. Mary in a game they dominated, the Raider boys missed several chances to advance to the county semifinals. Ray Arce connected on a beautiful shot inside the right post with 3:29 remaining in the second sudden death overtime period to propel the Mountaineers to a shocking 2-1 victory over the Raiders.
   ”We just had a defensive breakdown and they capitalized on it,” Raider head coach Eric Puma said afterward.
   Hillsborough missed several opportunities to win the game during the first 10-minute overtime session. Sophomore forward Shaquille Hamilton sent a dangerous long throw-in from the right sideline toward the net, where Bernards goalkeeper Sam Polito deflected it against the crossbar in the second minute. Joe Al-Makki just missed getting his right foot on a free kick pass from Jared Himelfarb two minutes later.
   Hamilton’s next long throw led to a wild sequence that included two Polito saves. The Bernards keeper stopped a lefty blast by Himelfarb and stuffed Jarret Smith’s rebound attempt at the far post. With 30 seconds left, Polito robbed Smith again. Hamilton unleashed one more long throw before the end of the first overtime but Yannick Smith headed it just over the crossbar.
   ”We created more chances and better chances but they took advantage of the ones they had,” Puma said. “Sometimes it goes in and sometimes it doesn’t. Today, we had some chances that didn’t find their way into the back of the net.”
   ”They’re a good team,” HHS senior striker Yannick Smith added. “I think we were better, but they finished their chances. You have to applaud them for that. They just sat back and capitalized on their chances.”
   The Bernards defense did a good job containing Hillsborough’s high-powered front line. The Raiders recently erupted for eight goals in a lopsided victory over Watchung Hills. Bernards played a tight marking game and wouldn’t allow Hamilton and the two Smiths to get loose.
   ”They did well defensively,” Yannick Smith said. “They stayed with me most of the game. I had a few chances but they got back on me. They have a very strong defense. That’s where they were the best.”
   Hillsborough took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute of the second half when senior midfielder Vinnie McEnroe blasted a 40-yard bomb through Polito’s hands. Two minutes later, the Mountaineers gained the equalizer when Marc Personick booted home a rebound of a free kick that was saved beautifully by HHS keeper Krystian Pescinski.
   The Raiders continued to control the action but couldn’t regain the lead. Hamilton’s long throws created a few chances but Polito and the Bernards defense survived until Arce connected.
   ”We expected a tough game and Bernards did a good job today,” Puma said. “It’s just a disappointing game, but we’re going to come back and regroup.”
   The Raiders (9-5-1) still have plenty of soccer to play. Last week’s wins over Watchung Hills (8-0) and Franklin (1-0) clinched a berth in the NJSIAA playoffs. HHS also entered the week still in contention for the Delaware East Division title. If the Raiders can defeat Montgomery and Bridgewater-Raritan this week, they’ll win the division.
   ”We have a chance to redeem ourselves and win the conference,” Puma said.
   Yannick Smith scored three goals and Ed Jedziniak added two goals to fuel the rout of Watchung Hills. Hamilton, Pankulics and Al-Makki added goals. Jarret Smith had a game-high two assists and Pescinski made two saves for the shutout.
   Jarret Smith scored in the 70th minute off an assist from Aaron Seitz for the only goal at Franklin. Pescinski made six saves for his second shutout of the week.
   ”It’s tough losing in the counties, but it comes down to finishing,” Yannick Smith said. “We have to get ready for two big games. We can still win the conference and we have to get ready for states.”