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.