Improving St. Joseph boys soccer tops Old Bridge
METUCHEN After a disappointing start to the season, the St. Joseph High School boys soccer team is starting to play St. Joe’s soccer.
The Falcons defeated Old Bridge 3-1 on Saturday morning, improving their record to 2-5-1 for the season. With the loss, Old Bridge falls to 5-4.
“I’m really happy with how they played today, it was a total team effort,” St. Joseph coach Brian Jenkins said. “We had some players down with injuries, but I was glad that I could use everybody and everyone contributed.”
The Falcons struck first in the first haf when sophomore midfielder Zach Riviere came from the left side and score off a ball that was deflected off the goalie. They scored again five minutes before halftime when junior forward Antonio Oliviera stole a misplayed ball and buried it in the back of the net.
“It was really important, 2-0 over one is huge,” Riviere said. “That second goal gained our confidence, and we ran with it.”
Senior defenseman Colm Sullivan scored the third Falcons goal when he stole the ball from the Old Bridge goalie and sent it over his head. The goal, like their second goal, came directly off an Old Bridge mistake.
“That’s how most goals are scored in soccer,” Sullivan said. “The game is won by the team who makes the least mistakes.”
The Knights however, did not go away quietly. Senior Tyler Mazza scored with about 10 minutes left in the game. They had at least five more solid chances at the goal, but Old Bridge was ultimately unable to tie the score.
“There was a lot of determination,” Sullivan said. “All the guys were working hard together.”
After a tough start to the season, Jenkins made a change to the formation. Previously starting two central defensive midfielders and one forward, Jenkins has started playing two strikers, two wings, one attacking midfielder and only one defensive midfielder. The results suggest that it’s working thus far.
“We’re trying to get more bodies forward,” Jenkins said. “We were possession-based at the start of the season, and obviously that wasn’t working. The midfielders are now getting the ball up quicker.”
After finishing last season 13-5-3 and runner-ups in the GMC Tournament, the Falcons started this season very slowly. Having lost many players to graduation and more to injury, the St. Joseph seems to be hitting its stride.
“We need to replicate this performance,” Riviere said. “We had it today which means we can definitely do it against teams.”
Staff Writer Daniel LoGiudice: dlogiudice@gannettnj.com