Wednesday, September 17, 2008

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

JERSEY CITY – Despite going through a rebuilding phase, the Ferris boys soccer team came into this season with the same goal head coach Roberto Escobar sets every year, to qualify for both the HCIAA-Coviello and state tournaments. But after losses to both North Bergen and Memorial to open the season, the Bulldogs found themselves in a ‘must-win’ situation on Tuesday, less than a week into the season, to keep those goals within reach.

To get a win under its belt, Escobar knew his team had to start strong, which is something the Bulldogs did not do in either of their first two games. Against a young Hudson Catholic team, the Bulldogs finally got off to a flying start and never looked back.

Jonathan Garcia scored 90 seconds into the game and Mohamed Wally added a goal eight minutes later. The duo combined for all five goals as Ferris breezed to its first win of the season, 5-0, to pull within a game of .500.

“We knew we had to win this game,” said Garcia. “We scored a few goals early and we didn’t stop attacking.”

Garcia took a chip pass from Jorge Cortez at the top of the penalty area and volleyed over the outstretched hands of Hudson Catholic goaltender Mario Albunia as Ferris took a quick 1-0 lead on the game’s first shot. Wally then took a through ball from Willy Munoz and beat Albunia to the far post to make it 2-0 in the ninth minute.

Hudson Catholic’s two best chances to score came immediately following Wally’s goal. Omar Sierra broke through a trio of Ferris defenders only to have his point-blank shot turned away by Johan Romero. On the ensuing corner kick, Jonathan Cobos’ shot hit the post.

“We had those two chances and maybe if we put one in, things could have been different,” said Hudson Catholic head coach Leo Pelligrini. “We started off slow and they started off well. We start six sophomores and two freshmen, and we know it’s going to be a rocky road. But we had more bright spots today and if these kids can see the big picture, we should progress as the season goes on.”

Wally put the game away by scoring 10 minutes before halftime. He completed the hat trick 10 minutes into the second half by heading in a corner kick from Alfredo Izarra. Garcia capped the scoring 11 minutes later with his second goal of the game.

Ferris (1-2) outshot Hudson Catholic (0-3) by a 27-9 margin. Romero made five saves to earn the shutout. His counterpart, Albunia, was bombarded all game. Although he allowed five goals, Albunia played relatively well and finished with 16 saves. The Hawks also got a strong outing from Brian Lindorff who was all over the field.

The Bulldogs will try to get back to .500 on Thursday when they take on St. Peter’s Prep in another HCIAA-Coviello showdown. Although his team put in five goals yesterday, Escobar knows a better effort will be needed to pull out a win against the Marauders.

“The top teams in our league are going to give it everything they have for eighty minutes, we have to learn how to do that,” said Roberto Escobar. “Nothing is going to be spoon fed to you in this league. Winning is always a good feeling and the first one is the toughest one to get. But we want to keep going and we have to play better than we did today if we’re going to make the counties and states.”

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