By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — October 8, 2004 – The Monticello boys’ soccer team used six goals from six different players to shut out Sullivan West 6-0 on Tuesday in Monticello.
The Panthers used their advantages in skill, athleticism and experience to pull away from their challenger in the second half of the non-league match.
Monticello improved its record to 3-5, while SW dropped to 4-5.
The Bulldogs kept the game scoreless for the first quarter of the game through the solid play of their lone senior, Joe Winski, and sophomore Garret Owen.
However, the Panthers applied steady pressure inside the Bulldogs zone. That pressure included a near-miss goal by co-captain Krystian Krol, who leaped in the air to hit the ball with his head, but the ball sailed just high over the net.
Andre Fogo was one of the Panthers’ top players during the early surge, displaying impressive speed and ball handling skills. He nearly set up a goal with a kick from afar.
At 5:07 into the contest, Raul Reyes scored the first Monticello goal. He got himself into perfect striking position directly in front of the net and then scored off a corner kick by Fogo and a good use of the head by standout senior Edwin Angel.
Angel was one of the best ball handlers on the field. He had great instinct in passing the ball as well. On one particular play in the first half, he passed behind his back to teammate Jeffrey Brink. Although the play did not develop further, the effort showed not only talent, but great promise for the team.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs and those in attendance watched in awe as Monticello co-captain Domingo Campbell moved the ball around for several seconds before unleashing a devastating blow to the ball. The result was the second goal of the game, which occurred with 4:36 left in the first half.
The Bulldogs did not return with the same energy in the second half. Krol scored the next Panther goal by easily moving around the tiring SW defenders.
SW had its best scoring opportunity of the game early in the second half on two plays near Monticello’s net. SW players took several close shots at the net to no avail, as Panther goalie Dennis Stafford made several brilliant diving plays to help preserve the shutout.
Stafford’s teammates responded by scoring another goal soon after. Senior Ben Newberg setup a goal by Angel, who was located in perfect striking range, right in front of the net.
Krol continued to prove why he is co-captain by showcasing his ball-handling skills. He set up a goal by Newberg late in the second half to make it a 5-0 game.
With just under three minutes remaining, Fogo scored the most eye-dazzling goal of the game. Situated way out from the net on the far side, Fogo kicked the ball high, and it stayed high – passing through the top half of the net.
Monticello played a superb game on defense as well. Todd Sonnenschein and Oshane Tate were instrumental in redirecting any offensive opportunities for SW in the Monties zone.
Monticello Coach Kevin O’Shea said his team played its best combination passing game of the year.
He said the team members stepped up their game after a slow start, and some missed opportunities.
O’Shea attributed what he deemed a “sluggish start” to the Panthers’ game against Kingston the previous day. He called Kingston a “very physical team.”
Nonetheless, O’Shea was satisfied with his team’s performance. He described the game as “a real team effort.”
“Everybody played well,” he said.
O’Shea also noted that his players gave a strong effort. He thought the two goals in the first half gave the Panthers “a lot of momentum.”
On the opposite side of field, SW Coach Joe Ebeling called his team’s loss “disappointing.”
“That’s the breaks,” said Ebeling, adding that he was looking forward to a rematch with Monticello later in the season.
“They [Monticello] played much better in the second half,” he said. “We kind of fell flat. We didn’t get any quality shots.”
Ebeling also blamed the lack of depth on the bench for his team’s loss of energy in the second half.