9-21-08 Bethlehem 2-1 L

The Friars couldn’t finish against Bethlehem. [PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANCI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — The St. Anthony’s girls soccer team was unable to make it a perfect weekend in Oneonta as they were defeated by Bethlehem on Sunday by the score of 2-1.

The first half was a seesaw battle, but the opening minutes were definitely controlled by Bethlehem, seventh in the latest state Class AA rankings. The St. Anthony’s keeper was doing all she could to thwart off the attempts, and she was successfully doing that. That was until 11:27 left in the first half, which is when Bethlehem finally broke through.

Kaitlyn Martin found herself in the right place at the right time, and she was able to blast the ball into the St. Anthony’s net. That gave Bethlehem a 1-0 lead. Both teams had plenty of chances as the half progressed, but good intensity in the defensive zone prevented either team from getting any other kind of scoring chances. The first half ended with Bethlehem winning 1-0.

The defensive intensity persisted well into the second half, and with that, the physicality definitely took a step up. Whistles were blown more frequently, and the pace was slowed down. That seemed to play right into Bethlehem’s plans, as they were looking to try to outwait an anxious Friars team.

With 6:19 remaining in the second half, Kristie Link was able to emerge from the pack of players with the ball, and she was able to put the ball into the net for what seemed like the dagger.

As time continued to disappear on the Friars, they seemed more a more frustrated. Bethlehem was content with just clearing their zone, and the Friars had no answer. The only saving grace is that they were able to avoid a shutout with 20 seconds left, when Jennifer Meier was able to put n a rebound. But, for St. Anthony’s it was too little too late.

St. Anthony’s, which entered the weekend ranked third in the state, will look to get back on the right track when they host St. John the Baptist on Monday at 4:15 p.m.

9-21-08 Rochester-McQuaid Jesuit 3-0 W

Anthony Arena throws the ball in. [PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANCI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — When you look up the definition of an intense game, Sunday’s boys soccer game against Rochester-McQuaid Jesuit would be exactly what you would see. Three goals, two players red carded, and one victory for St. Anthony’s was the theme on this day. The score was 3-0.

The opening half was filled with whistles. It seemed like the referees were calling everything, from minor contact to off sides. Many of the players were voicing their displeasures, and no one was able to put a tally on the board. St. Anthony’s had a number of centering feeds, but McQuaid Jesuit was able to thwart off their attempts. The first half ended with neither team having a goal.

The second half started with a huge play that may have been the turning point of the game. McQuaid Jesuit was in the offensive zone, and their attacker had a completely open net to work with. Unfortunately for him, he soared the shot over the cross bar, and the game remained tied.
Shortly thereafter, Rob Kramer would notch his first goal of the season to give the Friars a 1-0 lead. Kromer blasted the ball into the McQuaid keeper, but the ball squirted on through.

“We were awarded a free kick because of hard work,” said Kromer. “Although I will admit it. It was kind of a lucky goal. But I will take it.” Although there was plenty of time left, this ended up being the game-winner.

Both teams exchanged chances in what was a very physical second half. St. Anthony’s Kieth Jecewiz received a yellow card due to a sportsmanship issue. Shortly thereafter, Orlando Castanada was able to create space and break in on the McQuaid Jesuit keeper and a nifty move enabled him to give St Anthony’s the insurance that they were looking for.

As if that wasn’t enough, St. Anthony’s would put one into the net one more time. Henry Tirado was driving down the field on the near side, and he blasted a shot that was intended as a cross. Luckily it went off of the post and into the net, which drew a big response from those in attendance.

“I just beat the player and I was trying to cross,” said Tirado. “I knew it was going to go in immediately after it left my foot. I could just tell by the keeper’s position.”

Kieth Jecewiz was later red carded for another sportsmanship issue, and then McQuaid Jesuit seemed to retaliate as they took out a St. Anthony’s defender on what seemed like an unnecessary hit. The culprit was given a red card as well.

St. Anthony’s leaves the tournament with a record of 2-0 for the second consecutive year, and they will look to keep up their winning ways when they visit St. Mary’s on Tuesday, September 23 at 4:15 p.m.

9-20-08 Vestal 3-2 W

The Friars’ Chris Labiak with the ball.

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — The St. Anthony’s boys soccer team kept on pushing harder and harder against a diligent Vestal defense, and it couldn’t muster much early. But late in the second half, the Friars found the rhythm they needed to hand Vestal its first defeat of the season, 3-2, on Saturday morning at the National soccer Hall of Fame’s At-A-Glance Field.

After 13 minutes of scoreless play, St. Anthony’s finally was able to put the ball in the net for the first goal of the game. Greg Mallia would not give up, as he had two consecutive shots blocked. The third time was the charm, as he was able to beat Vestal’s Mike Economou to give St. Anthony’s a one-goal lead.

The Friars maintained that lead until the 35th minute. Nick Patricia was able to set up Paul Hoover, who blasted one past Shane Wend to tie the game. Wend got a piece, but the ball was kicked too hard for him to stop. Through one half, the teams had nearly identical numbers. The game was tied at 1-1, both teams had four shots and two saves, and St. Anthony’s had one more corner.

Vestal came out on a mission to start the second half, and it would take a little time before they saw any results. Two minutes in, St. Anthony’s goalie Kevin Hays was caught out of the net, but the defense was able to bail him out. St. Anthony’s was able to maintain order for the next few minutes, but at the 20 minute mark, Bijan Mangouri set up Tom Keegan for a goal that gave vestal the lead.

Vestal had the momentum, but St. Anthony’s wasn’t going to give up. With less than ten minutes remaining, Joseph Lyons was able to tie it up. He picked up the deflection from a shot taken by Orlando Castanada, and he was able to put it into the net.

“I give Valencia credit for the corner kick, and Orlando credit for kicking it on goal,” said Lyons. “You never know what will happen. I just tipped it in.”

Shortly after, Nick Masotto was able to draw a whistle and get a free kick for St. Anthony’s. Rob Kromer sent it toward the net and Masotto was able to redirect it off of the far post and in for the game-winner. St. Anthony’s would hold on for the 3-2 win.

“I got pushed and we were awarded a free kick,” said Masotto. “I was able to jump and use my head to redirect it off of the far post.”

“We looked a little tired today, but it was nice to see us persevere,” said Coach Gene Buonaiuto.

The Friars will be in action once again at At-A-Glance Field on Sunday, September 21 at 9 a.m. against McQuaid Jesuit.

9-20-08 Vestal 2-0 W

Friars forward Kate Greer controls the ball. [PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANCI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — For Katherine Higgins, it was all about being in the right place in the right time. And, luckily for her, she happened to be in the right place twice. Higgins led the way with two goals and led the St. Anthony’s Friars to a 2-0 victory over the Vestal Golden Bears on Saturday morning in the first game of the ninth annual High School Hall of Fame Cup on the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s At-A-Glance Field.

St. Anthony’s started the game with momentum, but they were unable to capitalize on various opportunities. About two minutes in, a shot went past the Vestal keeper, but sailed just wide of the net. Shortly after, the Friars had a golden chance, and couldn’t covert. They hit the crossbar and the post on the same drive, yet came up empty.

Through one half, St. Anthony’s was dominating, and they played most of the half in the Golden Bears zone, yet the half ended in a scoreless tie. St. Anthony’s was outshooting Vestal 12-5 through 40 minutes of play. Players were visibly frustrated, but that wouldn’t last much longer.

St. Anthony’s finally broke the deadlock at 5:29 of the second half, when Katherine Higgins received a rebound from a Kate Greer corner kick and spun around and blasted the ball past the Vestal keeper.

“I was kind of lucky,” said Higgins. “I had to trap the ball down and put it past the keeper. It wasn’t easy. I was able to tuck it into the corner.”

After a short push by Vestal, St. Anthony’s was able to take advantage of a Vestal mistake. Higgins was handling the ball and fired it towards the front of the net, and it deflected off of the Vestal defense and went by keeper Meagan Edwards. Higgins was credited with her second goal of the game, and her third of the season.

Vestal did not give up, but St. Anthony’s stepped up their defensive intensity. Vestal only managed one shot against the dominant St. Anthony’s defense in the second half, and that made life very easy for Danielle Singson. Vestal was unable to figure the defense out before time expired, and St. Anthony’s had the victory.

Head Coach Dave Prutting didn’t seem overly impressed with his team’s performance. “For some reason we have been a bit up tight lately,” he said. “I played all 25 eligible players today, and I am glad things turned out the way they did.”

Up next for the Friars will be game two of the Hall of Fame Cup, which will be against Bethlehem on Sunday, September 21, at 11 a.m. on At-A-Glance Field.

Oneonta Bound

The St. Anthony’s boys and girls soccer teams hit the road after school on Friday bound for Oneonta. Each will take separate buses and even stay in different hotels, according the boys coach Gene Buonaiuto. But the goal is the same — to win at the National Soccer Hall of Fame Tournament. The Friars boys soccer team went 2-0 a year ago in Oneonta. The schedule is no less challenging this time around with a Saturday 9 a.m. game against Vestal and Sunday 11 a.m. against Rochester-McQuaid.

– JASON MOLINET