By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Following a heartbreaking loss in the Mercer County Tournament, Josh Samuels and the Allentown High School boys soccer team were looking to get back on the field fast.
A 5-0 first round win over Jackson Liberty in the first round of the Central Jersey Group III state tournament Monday was the perfect remedy.
”It was good to be out there and regroup and refresh again,” said Samuels, the Redbirds goalkeeper who was asked to make just five saves thanks to his defense.
Allentown got goals from Luis Ferriera, Kevin Primich, Will Sjaastad, Tommy Viafora and Brody Zauner and two assists from Matthew Skinner and one each from Nick Eng and Justin Scarano. With the win, they improved to 13-2-3 going into today’s second-round game against Long Branch. The Redbirds have started another run to repeat their journey to last year’s state championship game. The state tournament allowed the No. 4 seed to put a loss in penalty kicks to Princeton High in the MCT final behind them.
”It was a little nerve wracking,” said Allentown head coach Andrew Plunkett. “They bounced right back. We picked up from the Notre Dame game how we played. We picked up right where we left off. It was good not having practice. We just got right back to playing.”
The Redbirds returned to their high level of play against Jackson, and they are hopeful that they can play even better going forward in states.
”We started to improve late in the season,” Plunkett said. “We didn’t make strides until Notre Dame. When we played Princeton, we had three starters out in the Mercer County final game. There were players seeing the field for the first time in the varsity season. We had two or three players rotating in who hadn’t seen the varsity field. We had three key players out and that hurts.
”We’re still down two starters. One’s going to be out all season. The other might be out until late if we make a deep run.”
The Redbirds lost Ryan Skinner two weeks ago, and they miss the starting outside back. His brother Matt was out for the MCT final due to illness, but he returned for the state opener and bolstered the midfield with his two assists. Andrew Bardwil is a forward that the Redbirds hope they can bring back with a long run. It could happen if they play as they did Monday when they frustrated Jackson by eliminating their scoring chances.
”We passed the ball around,” Samuels said. “They didn’t have much possession. We came out like we were playing for the state finals again.”
Samuels is in his third year starting in goal for the Redbirds. He was a part of the Allentown team that tied for the program’s first state title last year. He is one of the 10 seniors hoping that the Redbirds can go one step better this year.
”Because we’re all seniors, it’s a motivating factor,” Samuels said. “These games could be our last together. It definitely motivates us to go out and win states again.”
Samuels is part of a defensive end that has been strong for the Redbirds. If Allentown gets the scoring it is capable of, another state run could be coming.
”We have to finish our chances from six yards and in,” Plunkett said. “I can count several shots that we’ve missed point blank. If we can get that in and finish those chances, I don’t see what will stop us.”
Plunkett sees a group that has plenty of inspiration to return to a final. It’s a veteran group and it has been geared all season to trying to go back and win. He is hoping that his team maintains that focus over the next three weeks.
”Not winning it outright should be motivation enough,” Plunkett said. “Between losing the county final and not winning it outright, you’d think that’s enough motivation for a talented group like this to go out and get the job done.”
Samuel is looking for a big finish to his career. He is looking at the opportunity to play in college next year, and he has brought invaluable experience in the back. He has been playing goalie since he was a little boy just starting out.
”He helps,” Plunkett said. “Just having that confidence back there that if anything goes wrong, he has their back. That confidence is key.”
Samuels has had good success working with his veteran defense. It’s a unit that been reliable for Allentown.
”They’re solid as can be,” Samuels said. “I trust them. I know they’ll do their job and they trust me. It’s a great relationship we share that we know will be rock solid throughout the year.
”Defense is always one of the biggest parts of the game,” he added. “If you can’t defend, you can’t win games. Building out of the back is one of the strongest parts of our game. We can go forward with the ball and build off the defense.”
It’s been a solid senior season for Samuels and the Redbirds. A state title would cap off the year.
Said Samuels: “We just have to finish our opportunities and keep playing as a single unit instead of separate entities, which we sometime fall into.”
The Redbirds were disappointed not to hold off Princeton for the MCT crown. Allentown had rallied with a second-half goal from Eng with an assist from Rob Ellerson’s throw-in to force overtime, but never got the game-winner and the game went to PKs.
”It was definitely heartbreaking the way it ended,” Samuels said. “Every loss will make us stronger. I think we’ll channel that and use that to our advantage and play stronger in the future.”
The game never would have made it to overtime if it weren’t for a pair of huge saves from Samuels in the last four minutes of regulation. With a win today, it’s possible the Redbirds would see Princeton again in the sectional semifinals Monday. Their last two games now have gone into overtime. It would be the fourth year in a row that they have met in states.
”We look forward to that,” Samuels said. “It’s always been good games with Princeton.”
The Redbirds have a lot of confidence that they can pull together for a state championship. For so many of their starters, these are their final scholastic games and they know what it took to win their state matches last year.
”We have almost the same guys,” Samuels said. “We have the ability to take it to the teams and finish with a big win. The spirit is definitely there.
”I think it’s been good,” he added. “It’s been interesting at times. We pulled together as a team and we all get along. It’s been fun.”

