Cryan’s return sparks Bordentown to strong start
BORDENTOWN » With a healthy Kevin Cryan back in its attack this season, the Bordentown High varsity boys soccer team has proven to be even better than advertised so far in the 2018 fall season.
Cryan, a senior midfielder who missed chunks of his junior campaign with a hamstring injury, then a concussion, is back fit as a fiddle and ready to lead the Scotties.
Just how ready is Cryan? Well, during the time he was able to play as a junior, Cryan scored six goals.
After tallying twice in the second half Monday to spark a 5-1 win over Pennsauken, Cryan has five goals in three games this season, and Bordentown is 3-0.
“I missed a lot of last year, so it feels real good to be back out here,” Cryan said. “I just try to come out strong every game.”
Monday it was more important to finish strong because, with a brisk wind blowing toward one end of the field, the Scotties found themselves trailing by a goal after the Indians’ Edwin Cruz found the back of the net with 7:16 left in the first half.
With that wind at their backs after intermission, Cryan and his mates wasted little time in recovering.
Sophomore midfielder Brandon Valeri slotted a ball to Cryan 58 seconds into the second half, and his ensuing shot on goal slid beneath Pennsauken goalkeeper Phillips Pho for the tying goal.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Valeri pressured Pho on a long throw-in from sophomore midfielder Shane Ritter, knocking in the ball when it escaped Pho’s grasp along the goal line.
Before the Indians had a chance to regroup, Cryan banged home another pass from Valeri to give the home team a 3-1 lead with 34:15 still to play.
“At halftime, I told the guys their effort was not as high as it should have been after a big win like we had over Rancocas Valley (2-1 Sept. 7),” B’town second-year head coach Jason Zablow said.
“We had to come out strong in the second half because in the first half we came out slow,” Cryan said.
By scoring three goals in 5:45, the Scotties regained their form and never let up.
Cryan found Logan Saranin on a free kick, which Saranin one-timed past Pho with 19:52 to play. Then senior midfielder John Reichert made good on a free kick of his own with 7:35 left to round out the scoring.
“Kevin’s been playing well,” Zablow said. “He’s only one goal behind last year already. He gives us a chance to score every moment he’s on the field.”
That would seem like a lot of pressure for a senior trying to garner attention from an interested college, but Cryan seems to be taking it all in stride.
“To be 3-0 at this point is really something nice,” he said. “I just want to come out strong every game. The next game is always the biggest.”
For now, that means Pemberton, which will visit Bordentown’s turf Wednesday afternoon. Cryan and Co. will be ready. Pennsaukn(0-2-1) 1 0 — 1 Bordentown (3-0) 0 5 — 5
Goals: Cruz (P), Cryan 2, Valeri, Saranin, Reichert (B); Assists: Valeri 2, Ritter, Cryan (B).
Shots: 5 (P), 12 (B); Saves: Pho 5 (P), Gromitsaris 4 (B).
SETON HALL PREP 5, TRENTON 1
WEST ORANGE » After a long trip, the Tornades fell behind by four goals in the first half in falling to the Pirates.
Kevin Lemus scored in the second half for Trenton. Trenton (1-2) 0 1 — 1 SetonHallPrep(3-1) 4 1 —5
Goals: Lemus (T), Dean, Dunphy, DPerez, Ross, Storms (SHP); Assists: Lopez (T), Chambeau, Monroy, Ned, Zimmerman (SHP).
Shots: 6 (T), 16 (SHP); Saves: Santiago 9, Herrera 2 (T), Bertrand 1, Hiel 2, Hut 1, Petruziello 1 (SHP).
AUDUBON 2, FLORENCE 0 AUDUBON » Austin Carbone and Andrew Gifford took turns scoring to earn the Green Wave its first win, while handing the Flashes’ their first setback.
Florence (2-1) 0 0 — 0
Audubon (1-2) 1 1 — 2
Goals: Carbone, Gifford (A); Assists: Lindemuth, Trow (A).
Shots: 7 (F), 9 (A); Saves: Carnivale 7 (F), Lord 7 (A).
POSTPONEMENT
The Lawrenceville School’s game at Nottingham High was postponed with no makeup date scheduled at this time.