Post by stffgpr2003 on Oct 17, 2007 13:21:02 GMT -5
Despite loss to Wall, Freehold Boro wins B North
Third straight title for Colonials; SCT is next
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
When Freehold Borough begins defense of its Shore Conference Tournament (SCT) championship this week, the Colonials will be doing it as the B North Division girls soccer champions.
They won't, however, be protecting a perfect season.
In the final B North contest of the season on Oct. 9, Wall Township handed the Colonials their first loss of the season, 3-2, in a seesaw match that has defined these two powerhouses.
The Colonials have tormented the Crimson Knights the last three years often beating them in overtime as they did in last fall's two meetings and again last month when Freehold won 3-2 in the extra session.
It would seem that Wall was due to finally win one of these matches and that was the case in Freehold when the Knights came back from a one-goal deficit twice to tie the match and then won it on a curling direct kick off the right foot of April Damurjian.
Freehold Borough, 12-1 overall, had already clinched its third straight championship prior to the match. The Colonials had beaten Wall in their first match to get a onegame edge and when the Knights slipped up and tied Ocean, they lost any chance of catching Freehold. That didn't matter Wednesday as they wanted to prove a point against their rivals before the SCT and a possible third meeting between the two teams.
Freehold Borough head coach Elyse Bizzozzaro did not use the excuse that her team had nothing to play for Wednesday because the title was already theirs.
"We never want to lose to Wall," she said. "It was not a matter of wanting it more. Both teams played hard."
For 55 minutes, the teams looked headed for yet another overtime. Scoring opportunities were few and there were no sustained attacks on either goalie. Freehold Borough's best opportunities were off wellplaced corner kicks by dependable Amy Flannigan.
As it turned out, it would be Flannigan's corners that would be Freehold's offense.
In traffic, an opportunistic Alexandra Eagle broke the ice, knocking in a Flanagan corner with 23:41 left in the match.
But, before the Colonials could settle in and play with the one-goal lead, Wall struck in transition with Lisa Valenziano, timing a crossing pass 1:44 later (21:57).
But, Freehold, would come right back. Again on a corner kick that Flannigan lofted in the middle of the box, and Shannon Mayrose went up over everyone and headed in the goahead goal just 49 seconds later (21:08).
This time, the one-goal lead would surely stick. But, Wall answered again. No. 21's long sideline throw was not cleared in the goal error, and Gibby Wagner cleaned it up for Wall and with 19:22 left in regulation, the teams were tied again, 2-2.
In 4:19 seconds, these two outstanding teams had scored four goals between them.
Damurjian provided the dagger for Wall when she curled in her direct kick from 20 yards out.
Wall, 11-1-1, left the field feeling like champions. They had finally turned the tables on Freehold and will look forward to a possible third meeting in the SCT.
While the defeat may have cost Freehold Borough a run at a perfect regular season, Bizzozzaro was using it as a lesson for her team.
"We are beatable," said Bizzozzaro. "We proved that today."
Still, the Colonials head into the SCT having defended one of their four titles from 2006. They finished the B North schedule at 11-1, while Wall, with one match still to play, was 9-1-1.
Third straight title for Colonials; SCT is next
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
When Freehold Borough begins defense of its Shore Conference Tournament (SCT) championship this week, the Colonials will be doing it as the B North Division girls soccer champions.
They won't, however, be protecting a perfect season.
In the final B North contest of the season on Oct. 9, Wall Township handed the Colonials their first loss of the season, 3-2, in a seesaw match that has defined these two powerhouses.
The Colonials have tormented the Crimson Knights the last three years often beating them in overtime as they did in last fall's two meetings and again last month when Freehold won 3-2 in the extra session.
It would seem that Wall was due to finally win one of these matches and that was the case in Freehold when the Knights came back from a one-goal deficit twice to tie the match and then won it on a curling direct kick off the right foot of April Damurjian.
Freehold Borough, 12-1 overall, had already clinched its third straight championship prior to the match. The Colonials had beaten Wall in their first match to get a onegame edge and when the Knights slipped up and tied Ocean, they lost any chance of catching Freehold. That didn't matter Wednesday as they wanted to prove a point against their rivals before the SCT and a possible third meeting between the two teams.
Freehold Borough head coach Elyse Bizzozzaro did not use the excuse that her team had nothing to play for Wednesday because the title was already theirs.
"We never want to lose to Wall," she said. "It was not a matter of wanting it more. Both teams played hard."
For 55 minutes, the teams looked headed for yet another overtime. Scoring opportunities were few and there were no sustained attacks on either goalie. Freehold Borough's best opportunities were off wellplaced corner kicks by dependable Amy Flannigan.
As it turned out, it would be Flannigan's corners that would be Freehold's offense.
In traffic, an opportunistic Alexandra Eagle broke the ice, knocking in a Flanagan corner with 23:41 left in the match.
But, before the Colonials could settle in and play with the one-goal lead, Wall struck in transition with Lisa Valenziano, timing a crossing pass 1:44 later (21:57).
But, Freehold, would come right back. Again on a corner kick that Flannigan lofted in the middle of the box, and Shannon Mayrose went up over everyone and headed in the goahead goal just 49 seconds later (21:08).
This time, the one-goal lead would surely stick. But, Wall answered again. No. 21's long sideline throw was not cleared in the goal error, and Gibby Wagner cleaned it up for Wall and with 19:22 left in regulation, the teams were tied again, 2-2.
In 4:19 seconds, these two outstanding teams had scored four goals between them.
Damurjian provided the dagger for Wall when she curled in her direct kick from 20 yards out.
Wall, 11-1-1, left the field feeling like champions. They had finally turned the tables on Freehold and will look forward to a possible third meeting in the SCT.
While the defeat may have cost Freehold Borough a run at a perfect regular season, Bizzozzaro was using it as a lesson for her team.
"We are beatable," said Bizzozzaro. "We proved that today."
Still, the Colonials head into the SCT having defended one of their four titles from 2006. They finished the B North schedule at 11-1, while Wall, with one match still to play, was 9-1-1.
