Coach: Boys Soccer Wins First County Tournament Game

For the top-seeded Cranford boy’s varsity soccer team, it all starts with defense. The stingy Cougars are making a habit of frustrating their opponents.

They earned their fifth consecutive shutout with a 3-0 win over Union Catholic in the first round of the Union County Tournament at Memorial Field today.

 

The team, who have allowed just three goals in twelve games this season, earned their ninth shutout of the year. They were led by the stellar play of their defensive back four: sweeper Patrick Kaskiw, stopper Eric Walano and outside wingbacks Ryan Lopes and Rob Ghiretti. Goalie Scott Boyer earned the victory with three saves.

 

“Credit goes to our entire team from back to front for putting pressure on our opponents, not just in the defensive third but also at midfield where Connor DeMars and Ray El-Khoury work hard to control the middle," said Cranford Head Coach Mike Curci. "Our forwards, Pat Hartnett, Alex Rocha and Nick Pace also press to force turnovers. That eventually sets up good opportunities offensively.”

 

The team's defense set up the first goal, when Walano sent a long ball from the back allowing Hartnett to make the sprint from midfield to the 18-yard box, where he tucked a beautiful shot under the oncoming keeper to put the Cougars up 1-0 at the 21-minute mark of the first half. 

Hartnett leads Union County in goals scored with fifteen.

“That was a perfect finish by Pat, not the easiest of plays when you’re sprinting full speed with a defender at your heels and the goalie rushing out," said Curci. "I’ve seen a lot of players miss that chance, but Pat’s been on the money all year and once we get the lead we’re very tough.”

 

Cranford controlled the pace of play in the second stanza, before putting in another tally when senior Nick Pace delivered a near-post corner kick which was flicked in by senior mid Alex Porter to make it 2-0 with 20 minutes left.

 

Junior Ray El-Khoury finished off the scoring when he took a pass from Pace, dribbled just inside the box and ripped a low right-footed shot into the net to make it 3-0.  Pace now has nine assists on the year to go along with seven goals.

 

“Pace has been unbelievable this year, and he was under the weather as well, which makes his performance all the more impressive. He just keeps making his mark on this team game after game.”

 

Cranford outshot UC 18-3, with Boyer coming up with three saves. The Cougars have now scored 49 goals while giving up only three. The Cougars are off to one of the best starts in school history, but Curci knows there’s still a long way to go.

“It’s been a great ride for our players so far, and getting that first county win is always big," he said. "But we have an important week coming up, with two games against Elizabeth and a big conference matchup with Johnson. Let’s see if we can keep this streak going.”