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MANVILLE: Zangara showcases goalkeeping skills

Plays in Prudential Center

by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
   A conflict between two important sporting events left Matt Zangara with a very difficult decision.
   The Manville High senior was torn between his commitment and dedication to the boys’ varsity basketball team and taking advantage of a rare opportunity to play soccer in a professional arena.
   Zangara was selected to participate in the second annual New Jersey Ironman Senior Boys Soccer All-Star Showcase at the Prudential Center in Newark. Zangara, the Mustangs’ starting goalkeeper the past two seasons, was picked by the Skyland Conference coaches.
   For most athletes, going to this type of event would be a no-brainer. Zangara, a three-sport athlete who also competes in track and field during the spring, had to think about it. The Mustangs had a basketball game against Hackettstown scheduled for Friday night and he didn’t want to disappoint his teammates and coaches. After some careful consideration, Zangara opted to make the trip to the Prudential Center.
   ”The choice to pick the All-Star game over the basketball game was very tough,” Zangara said. “I took the two days before to make my choice. I looked at the aspect of playing college soccer one day over college basketball. I got feedback from players, saying they needed me but they were happy to hear I performed well in the game. It was a great honor.”
   Zangara played the entire second period and half of the fourth in the South goal. He made several saves and only allowed one goal in the second period. It took some time for Zangara to get used to the indoor pace, but he got comfortable and represented himself and his school very well.
   ”I had a good save right before halftime that I thought was the best one I have ever made due to the fact it was at a bigger stage and against the best in the state,” Zangara said. “It was a play where I dived to my right in full extension to my right side across the goal to stop a rebound and stopped it across my body.”
   Saves like those were what got Zangara invited to this showcase. Although the Mustangs haven’t won many games during his two years in goal, Zangara has played well enough to earn some accolades. He’s certainly faced many shots, which has given him the opportunity to make plays.
   Playing indoors on a faster turf surface against some of the state’s top players provided plenty of action. Zangara had to stay on his toes at all times. There was no out-of-bounds unless the ball sailed into the seats. A shot could fly on goal at any time.
   ”Playing in a game like that was an amazing experience,” Zangara said. “I had the pleasure of playing with over 40 other players and performing well with them even though we didn’t have a practice or never met before the game.”
   Zangara got the full big-game treatment. He spoke with a few college coaches and was interviewed by a reporter for a Web cast. Although his basketball teammates dropped a one-point game back in Manville, Zangara felt his trip to the Prudential Center was a great experience.
   The event will be produced as a play-by-play Web cast from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting team. Individual, team and action photos will be featured in the January 2009 issue of NJ Sports.