By Rich Fisher, Packet Media Group
The U11 Hopewell Avalanche boys’ soccer team had a stellar spring season winning their flight in the Mid-New Jersey Soccer Association to qualify for the playoffs.
The Avalanche won their opening playoff game, 7-1, over the Westfield Timbers as Mateo Lopez-Castro scored three goals, Lucas Gaissert had two goals and midfielders Ronan Karp and Dean DiGiacomo had one goal apiece. Midfielders CJ Jaikaria, Max Johnson and Patrick Capstack provided excellent control of the midfield while defenders Alex Tagliareni, Garrett Zimmerman, Elliot Overheiser and Ali Afridi had a solid defensive effort, with goalie Sam Neal making some excellent saves.
The Avalanche’s season ended with a loss to the Woodbridge Fury in the second round of the playoffs.
The U-10 Bolts fell to the Woodbridge Revolution, 4-1, as Han Sol Kim scored the Bolts lone goal off an assist from Tom Hooks.
The Bolts completed their season with a 2-2 draw against the Elizabeth Marines. Hooks scored on a corner kick and Alex Luedeke added a goal. Defenders Henry Garnich, Merrick Liu, and Hooks repeatedly turned back the Elizabeth attack late in the game. Bradley Shreve played the entire game in goal for the Bolts (5-3-2) and made a number of outstanding saves.
