The Allentown Attack U-11 boys travel soccer team played the Toms River Fire this past Saturday. This was a hard-fought, evenly matched contest from the outset. Both teams had strong offensive outbursts only to be thwarted by equally as strong defensive alignments. Allentown tested Toms Rivers goalie numerous times early on as Alec Scarano, Steven Hensley and Anthony Derisis launched numerous forays into the Toms river backfield. The Fire’s backline stood firm and held the Attack’s offense at bay. Allentown’s defense was tested on numerous occasions by a strong talented Toms River front line. The Attack’s defense played a strong game. The Attack’s back line consisted of Jake Calvitti, Brady Koontz, Evan Byrnes and Ryan Darrell. Nathaniel Marquez came out of the net with authority, breaking up numerous Fire opportunities. The Fire finally broke through and scored the first goal of the match to take a 1-0 lead. Allentown came out for the second half and showed alot of heart as they began to apply the pressure. The Attack’s persistence paid off as David Cohen found the upper corner with the equalizer for Allentown. The match was very evenly played and the second half was extremely exciting as the teams played their hearts out. Allentown’s midfield of Cameron Mory, David Cohen, Kevin Gallagher, Nicholas Miles and Patrick Dawes played strong two-way games as the action was end to end. Justin Patrylow, Alexander Valentino and Patrick McCarthy kept the offensive pressure on for the Attack. The Firescored what proved to be the game-winner as they converted a corner kick after the Attack could not clear the ensuing scramble for the ball. Allentown had numerous scoring chances as they poured on the pressure for the last few minutes of the game. The Fire’s goalie made several key saves as they held on for the 2-1 victory. This was a very well played game between two strong teams. Allentown will play their next match this Sunday in an away game at Point Pleasant.

It was another winning week for the Allentown X-treme U9 boys soccer team. Playing away against the Twin County Shooters, the X-treme’s defense was perfect. Brody Zauner, Joey Patrylow, Robert Ellerson, Kevin Primich and Conner Sullivan combined their talents for a shutout. Goalie Josh Samuels did not touch the ball all half. The scoring started early, when Jake Alessi converted a cross by Eric Sullivan to find the back of the net. Not long after, Justin Scarano assisted William Sjaastad to make it 2-0 Allentown. That’s how the first half ended. With a comfortable lead, coach Jody Scarano decide to switch around the lineup. This didn’t slow down the X-treme, who extended the lead when Kevin Pierera scored after a corner kick by Sjaastad was placed perfectly on the six-yard line. With the offense playing defense and defense playing offense, Allentown had Twin County confused. Quick outside runs by Tommy McCarthy on the right and Matt DeRisi up the middle seemed to tire the defense. Scoring was complete when Josh Samuels (first half goalie) took a direct kick from 35 yards out and put it over the keeper’s head. The X-treme’s second half goalie, Eric Sullivan needed only two saves to record the shutout. The game was a great chance for players sharpen their skills for next weeks game in Toms River.

The Allentown United U14 girls were at home to a team from Tom’s River in a game which would prove to be another tough physical battle with end-to-end play.

With Diana Braun taking charge and being kept very busy in goal at one end, and Dawn Taylor, Katie Shields and Ashley Perritt making strong runs at the other end, it became obvious early on that this was going to be a contest between two evenly matched sides with any eventual winner coming from the squad with the strength, stamina and desire to last the 70 minutes on a hot afternoon and come out on top.

With not much to differentiate between the two sides, it was United that eventually broke the deadlock 20 minutes into the first half after several attempts on goal were turned away. Chelsea Donnigan collected the ball on the edge of the goal area, looked up, saw the Tom’s River keeper off her line and promptly lofted her shot over the backpeddling goalie and into the empty net. That’s the way it would stay, until the 60th minute, when with Toms River attacking, one of their forwards appeared to handle the ball, maintain possession and go on to score. Appeals for an infringement were turned down by the officials, and the goal stood and tied the game with 10 minutes to go.

With the clock ticking down, a tired and battered United were giving their all, defenders Pereira, Valnoski, Calise and Hodul playing in front of a fearless goalkeeper Braun had managed to keep the game tied when with less than two minutes to go a free-kick was conceded on the edge of the box. From the ensuing play United’s defense was caught flatfooted, allowing the Tom’s River striker through with only the goalie to beat, she chipped the ball over the advancing Braun and into the net. The final whistle blew a minute later, a tough way to end a tough match.

United will play their next game away at Colts Neck and hope to turn things around after losing the first two matches by just a single goal. MOSA Division 1 is proving to be the challenge Coach Amaro Pereira expected it to be, but he is confident that his squad can compete week to week with the best teams in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

UFA 40 opened the season with a comfortable and well-controlled win over visitors Little Silver. Steve Sinai opened the scoring after only two minutes when he pounced on a mistake by the opposing goalie and tucked the ball safely into the back of the net. Despite coming close on several occasions with one fine shot from Amaro Pereira that just skimmed the outside of the post, and strong efforts from Bemba Buruschkin and his brother, George, the game was still pretty tight going into the break, with just the solitary goal separating the sides.

The second half resumed with UFA determined to put the game away, and it wasn’t too long before the elder Buruschkin got his name on the score sheet after a well-crossed ball by Mike Leyden was met full on by Bemba, who saw his powerful header hit the back of the net with both the defense and goalkeeper unable to do anything to stop it. Minutes later he was back in action, dribbling through the penalty area on his way to goal when he was fouled from behind. A penalty was awarded, and George Buruschkin stepped up and calmly slotted it past the keeper to give UFA a commanding 3-0 lead. Little Silver pulled one back from the penalty spot after a handball in the box, before the game was put out of reach with the fourth goal, a tremendous shot from the edge of the goal area that was perfectly placed in the far top corner of the net.

Defensively, Mory, Darrell and Sudon all had impressive outings in front of regular goalkeeper Martin Scarano, who gave a very strong performance in his first match back after missing the spring season due to surgery. Next week’s game is away to Howell.