U8 Blue Dragons remain undefeated
The East Windsor U8 Blue Dragons extended their undefeated streak to four by beating the Manalapan Runnin’ Rebels 6-3 on their home field Sunday, April 24.
The game got off to a fast-paced start with a break-a-way from Alexander Garcia going the distance of the field and scoring the first goal. Manalapan came back and fielded a score to tie the game 1-1.
Just before the half, Manalapan scored again to make it 2-1 in favor of the Runnin’ Rebels. Ilias Bettendorf and Jayden Baffoe-Bonnie played goal in the first half.
The second half opened with stronger offensive play by East Windsor as Alexander Garcia fielded a sharp pass to Ilias Bettendorf to tie the game at two all. The Blue Dragons played aggressively and kept the pressure on Manalapan with two more goals, one from Alexander Garcia and a long breakaway from midfield by Sebastian Rincon.
With the score 4-2, Manalapan broke through the Blue Dragons defense from 30 yards out and went one-on-one with the second half goalie, Dylan Stables. Stables came out of the box and challenged the driving player to block the ball. Manalapan had one last goal before East Windsor’s Lionel Aguilar converted a corner kick to make the score 6-3.
Coach Guillermo Tous credited the tight defense of Eydan Coronel, Jace Feyas, and Lionel Aquilar to hold off the Runnin’ Rebels. Elliot Vertiz also added to the effort with his offensive prowess.
U14 girls Storm defeats Middletown
The U14 girls Storm traveled to Middletown and came away with an easy 2-0 win.
From the start Storm dominated as Payton Rupp, Julia Pendino and Mikayla Capasso controlled the midfield defensively while repeatedly starting offensive rushes with smart passes.
Julia Gorajek got the Storm on the board driving a well-timed through ball from Jessica Alexander past the diving keeper. Soon after, Pendino caught Middletown’s defense cheating high and drove a ball through to Grace O’Leary who made no mistake outrunning the defender and blasting it home.
Keeper Mary Kate Hartnett continued her outstanding play recording her first clean sheet of the season, aided by the strong defensive play of Meg Regan, Danielle Faup and Jessica Saldutti.
