CENTRAL NEW YORK – Having risen to no. 4 in the latest state Class A rankings, the East Syracuse Minoa boys soccer team had no intention of slowing down.
Even after a busy week that included big wins over Jamesville-DeWitt and Baldwinsville, the Spartans did not have a letdown in last Monday’s game at Cortland, where it blanked the Purple Tigers 3-0.
Again, ESM spread around its production, Evan deBerjeois picking up two assists as Joel Alvarez, Jackson Tedesco and Behudin Malkic each earned one goal. Only 17 saves by Cortland goalie Paul Hansen kept it from getting more lopsided.
Returning Wednesday night against Central Square, J-D, who was no. 14 in the state Class A rankings (just two spots behind ESM at no. 12), fought hard for a 1-0 victory over the Redhawks.
For most of the night, both sides found ways to keep the other from scoring. Finally overcoming eight saves from Central Square goalie Andrew Watrous, the Rams went in front with T.J. Tanner’s goal, assisted by Mahir Bechir, and with six saves from Sam Allen made it hold up.
This happened as ESM was defeating PSLA-Fowler 4-1 for its 10th victory in a row, again with deBerjeois earning a pair of goals as part of a 4-0 first-half Spartans blitz.
Alvarez and Parker Gamble doined deBerjeois in the scoring column, with Anel Suljic and Henry Callahan picking up assists. Yahye Sambul netted the Falcons’ lone goal in the second half.
Back in action on Friday, J-D got a 2-0 shutout of Fulton as Tanner again netted a key goal, this time joined by Emile Antoine as Bechir and Mike Meskos earned the assists and Allen only had to make four saves.
Playing again on Saturday against fellow Class A contender Whitesboro, J-D was able to claim a 1-0 victory due to a goal by Mike Meskos, assisted by Allen, who turned back all four of the Black Knights’ shots.
Putting its own win streak on the line against Rome Free Academy on Saturday, ESM would face a stiff challenge, too, but edged the Black Knights 1-0 for its 11th in a row.
This depended a lot on the defense as Parker Gamble and Reide Scolaro combined to stop all 13 RFA shots they faced. Their effort was rewarded when Callahan, off a pass from Suljic, put in the game’s only goal.
Bishop Grimes found itself back in action last Wednesday against state Class C no. 15-ranked Tully, and the Cobras were overwhelmed by the Black Knights in a 6-0 defeat.
Julian Shay, with two goals and two assists, led Tully’s efforts. Isaac Stoogenke also converted twice as Grimes goalie Greg Docos finished with eight saves.
Manlius-Pebble Hill found its way back to the win column on Wednesday, the Trojans getting a 3-0 shutout over the combined LaFayette/Onondaga team.
A goal in the first half and two more in the second half proved enough, Nick Lurvey getting a goal and assist as Sam Lurvey and Ayman El-Hindi also finidng the net. Alex Fung and John Dalisto earned assists.
Things turned around in Friday’s 7-3 defeat to Mater Dei Academy, who led by Phillip Halligan’s three-goal hat trick toyed with MPH’s defense, Stephen Hall adding two goals and an assist.
