SPORTS

Westfield boys soccer advances in North 2 Group IV

Alyssa Davis
@AlyssaM_Davis

WESTFIELD – It was an early lead that gave the Westfield High School boys soccer team the edge on Watchung Hills.

Eighth-seeded Westfield disposed of ninth-seeded Watchung Hills 2-0 on Tuesday afternoon in the first round of the NJSIAA North 2 Group IV Tournament at Gary Kehler Stadium after scoring both goals within the first eight minutes and playing shutout defense.

“Any game you set the tone like that the other team has to then react,” Westfield head coach Eric Shaw said. “(Watchung Hills) started pushing numbers forward. I don't know if they play a 4-3-3, but it looks like that is what they did after we scored two goals. They gave us a lot of time and space in the middle at times.”

In the beginning of the game, after Westfield goalkeeper Cullen Birkel had a pair of shots reeled at him, the ball found its way into Watchung Hills (8-8) territory. Kevin Reinhard connected with Sam Karnofsky to score the first Blue Devils goal at the 33:56 mark.

A minute and a half later, Westfield (9-6-2) found itself with a corner kick attempt. Loukas Carayannopoulous put the ball in the air, Michael Mobarakai got his head on it and found the back of the net to round out the scoring.

“I was at the back post and I saw the defenders giving me a little bit of room,” Mobarakai said. “So then, I made a run to the penalty kick area and Loukas (Carayannopoulous) sent me a beautiful ball and I just headed it right in.”

The Blue Devils run a 4-3-2-1 formation and the stacked defense played a vital role in their victory.

“We would have one person up and the other person back so on punts and stuff if the ball would hop over the back then the back person would get it,” Mobarakai said. “We did a good job communicating and switching back and forth so I think that’s why we finished with a shutout.”

One thing in Westfield's favor was playing on familiar turf.

“Being home definitely helps,” Shaw said. “Playing at home in front of your fans and not traveling is always an advantage.”

Staff Writer Alyssa Davis:adavis3@gannettnj.com