Boys Soccer – Braves Back in SCT Semis

By Liz Matakevich
Shore Sports Network Contributor

Manalapan's recent boys soccer history is not one of an underdog, but the Braves have had a Cinderella season in 2013. That Cinderella season will continue in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2007.

Stefano Muniz controls the ball against Colts Neck's Brian Winderman Tuesday in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals. (Photo by Liz Matakevich)

The young team with the top seed in the tournament hung on after an early score to earn the 1-0 shutout victory over Colts Neck during the quarterfinal round of the tournament in Manalapan yesterday.

Manalapan finished 2012 with a 5-10-3 record and has completely turned the program around with a 15-2-1 start.

“I think we played with a lot of heart,” Manalapan head coach John Natoli said. “I think we played a little nervous today wanting to get into the next round but we were able to pull out a win.”

Both teams were no stranger to each other coming into the game, having played each other twice in regular season. Colts Neck took the first game, 3-0, with Manalapan coming back from 2-0 down to take the second, 3-2. Before Manalapan’s three late goals in the second game of their series, Colts Neck had outscored Manalapan 5-0.

The Braves would not let those statistics get in their heads.

Matt Dizenhaus came up with the clutch goal for the Braves in the fourth minute of the game, being in the right place and time to head the ball into the back of the net off a cross from junior Ryan Hammer. The goal was his fourth of the season.

"It felt great to score and get a lead right off the bat,” Dizenhaus said. “I saw that ball coming into the box and knew someone had to be hungry to put it in the back of the net and I was able to get open to do that.”

“Dizenhaus works very hard for us,” Natoli said. “He was in the perfect spot to get that header into the back of the net to prove that.”

The Braves’ early score helped them to take control of the game’s momentum for most of the first half, getting six shots on net to the Cougars' four and dominating the possession.

“It felt great that we were able to come out and control the momentum.” Dizenhaus said.

“Our defense was huge for us today in controlling the game they are the best I’ve ever played with,” senior goalkeeper Ethan Siegel added.

Colts Neck had a couple early opportunities to come up with the equalizer in the 12th minute of the game, with Devin Gavrushenko getting a shot off that hit the post and was cleared out. Jason Tonelli would also come up with a shot in the 14th minute inside the box, but Siegel came up with the big stop.

Manalapan had multiple chances to break the game wide open in the first half. Dizenhaus earned a direct kick outside the 18 in the 32nd minute, but goalkeeper Mathijs Smit punched the ball out of bounds. The following corner kick by the Braves would go out of bounds on a header by Adam Weisberger.

The Cougars started to put together some strategic passing late in the first half to start building some momentum up to the net. Brian Knauf had a shot in the box in the 38th along with a cross into the box by Dom Ricci, but Siegel was there to make the saves to end the first half.

Manalapan and Colts Neck both went into the second half looking for that next goal. The Cougars started to pressure more, getting three shots off on net. Rob Pratka would come close for Manalapan in the 64 minute breaking away in the box with only Smit standing between him and a goal, but the shot went out of bounds.

The Cougars tried to scramble late in the second half to force the game into overtime, but Manalapan would hold out with their early goal to punch their ticket to the semifinal round.

The Braves took 11 shots on net to the Cougars' seven. Siegel made six saves for Manalapan with Smit making seven. Manalapnn will go up against defending champion Ocean in the semifinal round on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Summerfield School Memorial Field in Neptune.

“Last year we took some bumps and bruises along the way because we did play a lot of young players,” Natoli said. “They’ve grown up with the experience they got from last sure and we’re lucky to be in this position with a win to the next round.”

“We knew if we could just play our game today we could get the win,” Siegel said. “We’re looking to take this all the way to the championship.”

Box Score

Manalapan 1, Colts Neck 0