Boys Soccer Defeats Summit 2-0

Senior Alex Rocha scored on a laser shot in the first half off a Pat Hartnett assist
and Rocha assisted Patrick Kaskiw's goal in the second half. Kaskiw also saved at least a shutout in the first half when he got behind keeper Scott Boyer to prevent a shot by Justin Cyrus from tying the game.

  
"It wasn't our prettiest game, but you're going to have games when you don't play
your best soccer, but you fight through it,'' said Cougars coach Mike Curci. "I knew it
was going to be one of those days where we would have to hang on when it counts.

Even Cranford's boys soccer team has days when they don't play their best.

  
"We played a start-to-finish, soup-to-nuts great game last Thursday against Rumson,'' he added. "Today we were a little sluggish, but give credit to Summit.
They're a big team. We had a lot of respect for them coming in.''

  
The two might soon meet again.

Summit, the No. 9 seed in the Union County Tournament, plays at No. 8 seed and defending champion Elizabeth Thursday night. If Summit wins, and if No. 1 seed Cranford beats No. 16 Union Catholic Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field, then Cranford and Summit would meet in a county quarterfinal.

  
Boyer made nine saves to add another shutout to his list. He made a few when he and the striker were one-on-one.

  
"Defensively we played well, we haven't gotten many shots the last couple of games,
but that's why I'm there, I'll do my best to save them," Boyer said.

Cranford plays host to Union County Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. a county pre-quarterfinal at Memorial Field.