With virtually everyone back from last year, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School boys soccer team figured to be a considerable favorite in the first of their two regular season games against Westfield. But the Raiders were disappointed, losing at Kehler Stadium Wednesday afternoon 2-1.
The Raiders (4-1) seemed to be in control for most of the game, piling up an advantage in shots, but Westfield scored on two of their five first-half shots to take a 2-1 halftime lead. That's how it ended. The two will play again Oct. 16 in Scotch Plains and could meet a third time in the Union County Tournament.
"We stunk the field up, it was the worst performances we possibly could have,'' said Scotch Plains-Fanwood coach Tom Breznitsky. "We're a so much better team, but we fell into the trap of playing their soccer, bang, run, kick, foul too much and that's how they scored. They scored on fouls. The kid shot, foul. Throw in, foul. We can't make mistakes like that and give a team free kick opportunities when they have tall guys.
But we did a very poor job today. We need to get together and rebound."
Westfield tied the game at two after Scotch Plains-Fanwood senior Brendan McEvoy had tied it. With two minutes left in the first half and the game tied 1-1, Westfield's Billy Sickles cleared the ball wide to the right post and Ryan Heine headed it in.
"To give up a first goal was no big deal because we got it back, but the second goal was worse," Breznitsky said. "The second goal was worse. A mistake by one of our defenders. It wasn't the goal keeper's fault."
Westfield scored in the eighth minute of the game. The Blue Devils (5-1) shot left post, but the shot was deflected off Scotch Plains-Fanwood senior goalie Anthony Zukofsky's hands and was sent to the right. But the defense couldn't clear and Joseph Greenspan sent the ball low right for a 1-0 lead.
"It was a great save by the keeper," Breznitsky said. "But it was one of
those unforunate things. The ball bounces and they have somebody there."
those unforunate things. The ball bounces and they have somebody there."
Scotch Plains-Fanwood tied the game with seven minutes left in the half. Sophomore Travis Cortes delivered the ball to senior Brendan McEvoy, who beat two defenders, putting the ball through them and beating the goalie low. Senior Chris Freeman got the play going.
"I just snapped it past Fine,'' said McEvoy, referring to Westfield goalie Adam Fine.
Fine, who spent the first half of the game in goal for the Blue Devils, made four big saves to keep his team in it. The Raiders held a 13-7 advantage in shots.
Both teams had allowed just one goal coming into the game.
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