JV Beats Crosstown Rivals 3-1

We started off with high intensity, shots on goal, and excellent defensive positioning, but our efforts were not rewarded in the first half. By the halfway whistle, we were tied with GCDS at 0-0. 

 

Our second-half plan was to press high and early to get a goal but their keeper played lights out today until about the 10th minute. A cross from the left from Reid Glanville trickled out toward Johnny Backx on the top of the box, who let it rip. Bouncing off the far post, the first effort just missed. But Luke Martinez, well-positioned, was waiting in the right place for the rebound, finishing a one-touch shot across the goal mouth.

 

About five minutes later, GCDS committed a foul on Keane Zorub in the box to set up a penalty kick. John Guza stepped up and calmly slotted the ball to his right, causing the keeper almost to stand still. Just a few minutes later, we made a mistake of our own, clearing the ball across our own box and setting up their captain for a great shot curling over Attubato’s head.

 

Our final goal came with less than 10 minutes in the game when Gianfranco Fajardo, continuing with his run of beautifully placed shots on goal, hit a remarkable ball curling far post and dipping under the crossbar just out of the keeper’s reach. The GCDS coach, showing excellent sportsmanship, came to talk to us at the end of the game and to personally congratulate Gianfranco for such an outstanding goal.

The game ended 3-1 in our favor. Shout out to our back line -- (starting four) Moran, Modi, Viders, and Boardman, and (sub) freshman Julian Dyson -- for their persistent defensive effort and Michael Attubato for keeping us in the game to the final whistle.