November
3, 2004
GLEN RIDGE - After a 3-12-1 record last year and playing in the vastly improved BCSL-National Division, not much was expected from the Lyndhurst boys soccer team coming into this season.
But a hot early start and the added bonus of getting Queen of Peace transfer Mike McTigue in the lineup late in the season, the Bears surprised all of their naysayers by qualifying for the North 2, Group 1 state sectional tournament.
So after getting outplayed in the first half and facing a one-goal deficit against seventh-seeded Glen Ridge, it was fitting that McTigue was the one that came to the rescue. His goal in the 57th minute tied the game at 2 and gave his team some life. Unfortunately for the Bears, Glen Ridge's Jon Mayer fired back quickly with a dagger to through the heart of the Bears' upset hopes.
Within 90 seconds after McTigue's goal, Mayer connected twice to give Glen Ridge a two-goal lead en route to a 5-2 triumph that ended the Lyndhurst's season.
"We knew we had to get the lead back and not give them any momentum," said Mayer. "I was just hoping for a chance to score right away and I got it. I took a look at the net, I saw an opening, and I just went for it."
Senior midfielder Joe Escobar opened the scoring on a 25-yard direct kick to give Lyndhurst an early 1-0 lead. The Ridgers responded and dominated the remainder of the half, tying the game at 1 going into the break.
Glen Ridge continued to control play in the second half. The Ridgers took advantage of the wind at their backs and quickly grabbed the lead. Jacob Robbins beat a defender up the right side, and then found Blake Foster on the back post, and he tapped it home in the 42nd minute to give Glen Ridge a 2-1 lead.
Outside of the speed of J.J. Ferrie on the right flank, Lyndhurst had trouble mounting much offense. But the Bears are always dangerous for their ability to score on set pieces and showed Glen Ridge that first hand.
After a retaliation foul gave Lyndhurst the ball, and it eventually led to a corner kick. McTigue rose above the defense and headed Escobar's kick into the back of the net to knot the score at 2.
After a scramble in front of the net, Mayer collected the ball 15 yards away from goal with his back to the goal. In one motion, he turned and fired one towards the Lyndhurst goalmouth. His shot deflected off of a defender's foot and trickled in just 40 seconds later to give the Ridgers a 3-2 lead. Mayer headed a Foster cross into the back of the net less than a minute later to turn out the lights on the Bears.
"Those two goals really took the wind out of our sails," said Lyndhurst head coach Joe Maffei. "If we held on for just a couple of minutes, I think the pressure would be put on them as the higher seed playing at home. But that little run just completely deflated us mentally and emotionally. I'm proud of these guys that they played hard. We tripled our win total from last year and just to make the state tournament after winning three games the year before is quite an accomplishment."
Glen Ridge will now move on to play second-seeded Bernards, which beat the Ridgers earlier in the season. Foster and Mayer each had two goals to lead the way. Lyndhurst's season came to a close with a record of 9-8.
"They were a tough team and they made us earn that win," said Glen Ridge head coach Steve Reitberger. "I'm happy with the way we played in the second half because we finished. Lyndhurst was obviously very strong on set plays and (McTigue) killed us in the air. We were able to correct the mistakes we were making and taking the lead quickly was a big key for us. We know we are not going to have as many scoring chances against Bernards, but if we can capitalize on those chances, we have a shot."
TO PURCHASE A COLLECTOR'S PRINT OF THIS STORY, VISIT THE NJS.com SCHOOL STORE!
|
|
|
| About Us | Contact Us | Home | Advertise |
Questions?
E-mail the editor editor@northjerseysports.com
All contents © copyright 2001-2004 HSSportsWeb.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
