It was a performance Holmdel High School senior soccer player Brendan Worobel will always remember. Worobel scored a career high four goals in the Hornets’ 5-1 season-opening victory over Monmouth Regional High School on Sept. 9 in Tinton Falls.
“It feels great,” he said after the game. “We all came out and worked as hard as we could. It’s a great start to the season.”
Worobel found the back of the Falcons’ net four minutes into the match when he converted a free kick for a 1-0 lead.
Holmdel strikes first! Brendan Worobel scores in the 4th minute off the free kick! Hornets up 1-0! CC: @central_jersey @HolmdelHornets @Holmdel_Bsoccer @HolmdelHS #NJSoccer ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/EGFF0Nnyva
— Steven Bassin (@SBassin_Sports) September 9, 2021
He scored again in the eighth minute for a 2-0 lead the Hornets took into halftime.
In the 45th minute, Holmdel was awarded a penalty kick. Worobel stepped up to the spot and sent the ball into the bottom right corner of the net past Kevin Terhune for a 3-0 lead.
HAT TRICK! Brendan Worobel scores his 3rd goal of the game off the penalty kick in the 45th minute. Holmdel up 3-0 on Monmouth Regional in its season opener. CC: @central_jersey @Holmdel_Bsoccer @HolmdelHornets @HolmdelHS #NJSoccer #Hattrick 🎩 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ACoTNVfRnY
— Steven Bassin (@SBassin_Sports) September 9, 2021
Sophomore Luke Brand scored for Holmdel in the 47th minute when he controlled a rebound in front of the Falcons’ net and sent the ball home for a 4-0 lead.
GOAL HOLMDEL! Luke Brand is Johnny on the spot to corral the rebound and score his 1st goal of the game. Holmdel up 4-0 in the 47th minute! CC: @central_jersey @Holmdel_Bsoccer @HolmdelHS @HolmdelHornets #NJSoccer ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/YFRTgaZnbX
— Steven Bassin (@SBassin_Sports) September 9, 2021
Worobel capped his four-goal performance when he scored in the 53rd minute for a 5-0 lead.
He said scoring four goals was a “great feeling,” but added that what mattered the most was starting the 2021 season with a win.
“This was one of the most important games of the year,” Worobel said. “Monmouth Regional is a good team. We played great. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”
Junior goalkeeper Ilan Golden recorded nine saves for Holmdel. Golden replaced starter Tommy Chyzowych, who came off with an injury in the first half. Chyzowych made four saves before exiting the game.
Junior Kyle Desai scored for Monmouth Regional in the 59th minute.
Second-year coach Matt Isaacson was pleased with his team’s performance against its Shore Conference A Central Division foe. He said the players want to continue the program’s recent run of success.
“This Holmdel culture is just different from everywhere else,” Isaacson said. “There is an expectation here and we want to hold that expectation. We are hungry to win every game. Our intensity and our energy really help us pull out these wins.”
Holmdel is scheduled to play Middletown North on Sept. 11.