Boys Soccer – Video: Holmdel Hands Ranney First Loss

HOLMDEL - The Holmdel boys soccer team scored three goals in the second half Monday, including the go-ahead goal by sophomore Mark McStay in the 67th minute, to rally from a one-goal halftime deficit and hand Ranney its first defeat of the season, 3-1.

Junior Mikey Neff scored the equalizer in the 47th minute off a deflected cross from sophomore Anthony Arena. McStay later gave Holmdel (2-1-1) the lead when senior Leo Nobrega won the ball from Ranney goalkeeper Noah Ayers and allowed McStay a clean look at the goal from 18 yards out with Ayers off his line.

Arena capped the scoring in the 71st by settling a low cross from Nogbrega and hammering it into the goal.

Ranney (5-1) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute on a 25-yard strike to the far right side netting by senior Brendan Wall. The goal was the 10th in six games this season for Wall, who played the first two years of his high school career for Holmdel's varsity team.

Holmdel had several chances to score its first goal before Neff finally broke through, including to one-on-one chances against Ayers for Nobrega that he could not convert. Sophomore Joe Arena also hit the crossbar and Ayers made a diving save to his left early in the second half.

Ranney could only withstand Holmdel's attack for so long and the Hornets wore Ranney down with a 26-7 advantage in shots, including 14-5 in shots on goal.