Coach: Cougars Score a Ticket to the UCT Final Four

This update and photo provided by coach Mike Curci. Please feel free to send over the updates and scores of Cranford sports games.

The history-making season for the Cranford boys' varsity soccer team continued Saturday afternoon, as the Cougars ran their record to 15-0, the best start in the program’s 53-year history, with a solid 2-1 victory over defending Union County Tournament champion Elizabeth at Memorial Field in Cranford.

Cranford, the top seed in the tournament and ranked No. 7 in the state, defeated the Minutemen for the second time in six days, winning on the road Monday night by the same 2-1 margin.

“This was a great win in front of a large home crowd,” said Cranford head coach Mike Curci. “Parents, friends, alumni, they all were there to cheer us on. It’s a great feeling for all our players to have their tremendous support. I’m glad we didn’t let them down today.”

After battling to a 0-0 tie at the half, the Cougars finally struck gold when senior captain Patrick Hartnett drilled a laser from 25 yards out into the far upper 90 to give the home team a 1-0 lead at the 73 minute mark of the second half. It marked Hartnett’s county-leading 16th goal of the season. Less than two minutes later, senior midfielder Alex Porter dribbled at full speed down the right flank, and sprinted past the lone defender before drilling a right-footed shot from a tough angle from 12 yards out to move the Cranford lead to 2-0 with six minutes to play.

“The two goals today were both brilliant,” said Curci. “Hartnett’s rocket was well-placed, a tremendous goal which gave us the momentum we needed. Porter’s run down the wing was classic, he turned on the burners and finished the ball beautifully. It turned out to be the game-winner.”

Elizabeth received a penalty kick with one minute remaining. Kevin Hernandez converted to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the final whistle blew soon after, giving the happy Cougars a ticket to the UCT final four on Friday night October 23, when they will face fourth-seeded Union at 7:00 p.m. at A.L. Johnson Regional High School in Clark. The first game will feature second-seeded Westfield, who defeated Linden 1-0 and third-seed Scotch Plains, who advanced after winning in the penalty kick shootout over Plainfield.

Game time for that matchup is set for 5:00 p.m.

“Our defense came up huge again,” said Curci. “In 160 minutes of play against Elizabeth, a very talented team, we only gave up a pair of penalty kicks, nothing from the field. They’re a big reason why we’re still on this amazing 15-0 run.”

Goalie Scott Boyer made several key saves early while sweeper Pat Kaskiw, Eric Walano, Ryan Lopes and Rob Ghiretti shut the door with great anticipation and savvy defensive play.

"What more can I say about Boyer?” asked Curci. "He made a pair of key saves early before we tightened up our defense. Ghiretti and Lopes are unsung heroes on the outside, they really know how to shut down opposing wings and did a great job on Dan Naranjo, one of their best players. Kaskiw has been superb in the back, cool under pressure and even in bad weather, never misses a touch. And Walano controls the defensive middle beautifully, tough, aggressive, makes good decisions, we’re fortunate to have all of them.”

The Cougars have given up just six goals in 15 games, two of which were penalty kicks.

Cranford also received stellar performances from junior midfielders Ray El-Khoury, who had two assists, and Connor DeMars (six goals, five assists). Senior Nick Pace, who owns seven goals and 13 assists, also played well defensively, containing the speedy Elizabeth midfielders.

“The great part about this team is that the pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly. Everyone has their roles and they work together," said Curci. "This group has grown into a family. They don’t play for themselves, they play for each other. I’m proud of every player on our team and I’m confident we can keep streak going."

The Cranford boys' varsity soccer team clinched their third consecutive Conference Championship with their 3-1 win Thursday vs. A.L. Johnson. Cranford has won 15 games for the third consecutive season and own a record of 45-10-1 during that span.

They are just two wins shy of breaking the all-time mark for victories in a season. The Cougars will next take the field at home vs. Dayton on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m., before preparing for Friday’s Union County Tournament semi-final appearance.