EMERSON – It was a battle of youth versus experience Oct. 21, as an Emerson team boasting 12 seniors hosted a Cresskill side that had more freshmen and sophomores than upperclassmen.
The more experienced Cavos had an excellent performance on Senior Night and took home a 4-0 victory.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” said Emerson coach Jeremy Truppi. “I think my guys played really well. We’re playing a lot of guys that don’t normally get a chance to play and they really stepped up.”
FAST START
Emerson got off to a quick start, with senior Ricardo Rubio receiving a pass from Alex Minck and firing a shot wide right, just outside the post. The Cavos were able to get on the board quickly afterwards, however, within four minutes of the start of play. Senior Steven Ciniello received a bouncing ball around the top of the box after a long Emerson possession. Ciniello hit a low shot in the left corner that made its way past the outstretched arms of the Cresskill goalkeeper, Patrick Centeno.
After the Emerson goal Cresskill became more active and creative with scoring opportunities. Liron Derguti took a shot from distance that went wide left. Evan Millionis followed up with another wide left shot not long afterwards.
Cougars junior Chris Kim hit a bouncing shot on goal that forced the Cavos goalkeeper Jake Leara to make a save. Kim also had a sliding attempt at a shot later in the half, but Leara came out of goal to clear the ball out to midfield.
Sergio Aceituno had a header that went just over the crossbar off a pass from Jordan Asseo, in what was probably the best scoring opportunity for the Cougars.
FLURRY TO END HALF
In the last 10 minutes of the first half, the Cavos were able to score three more goals to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Junior Jack Dunican received a loose ball all alone behind most of the Cresskill defenders and was able to touch the ball over the head of the keeper, who was charging out of the goal to try and knock the ball away. Dunican’s goal was his eighth of the season.
With about five minutes left in the half, Emerson’s Alex Minck took a sliding shot on a loose ball, getting it past the Cresskill keeper, who was again out of the net trying to kick the ball away. Minck’s shot found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the year, putting Emerson up 3-0.
Shortly before halftime Minck was completely unmarked and received a pass on the right side from where he was able to hit a low shot past the keeper for his second goal of the game, extending the lead to 4-0. In addition, Leara continued to excel by making a diving save on a shot by Tobias Zypman.
CONTINUED DOMINATION
The second half continued to be dominated by the Cavos, but they were unable to add to their lead. Emerson was called offside on several occasions, almost all of which were great scoring chances.
“They don’t normally make those mistakes,” said Truppi. “We are not the type of team that’s offsides very often.”
Leara was forced to make a number of saves for the Cavos in the second half, although most of the shots came from distance. The senior goalkeeper stopped shots from Asseo, Kim, and Derguti in the final period to preserve his third shutout of the year.
For the Cavos the win helps to solidify their third-place position in the NJIC Patriot Division with an 8-3 record in the division. They sit behind Hawthorne Christian and Waldwick, who are both 10-2. Cresskill’s 3-8 divisional record puts them in sixth place in the eight-team group.
Email: baumuller@northjersey.com
