Robbinsville can’t keep pace with Holmdel
HOLMDEL >> The Holmdel High boys soccer team are defending NJSIAA Group II champion for a reason, and Robbinsville saw that and much and more in a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday afternoon.
The top-seeded Hornets had seven different players score at least one goal as the ninth-seeded Ravens saw their season end in an 8-1 loss to the defending state champion.
“We tried to keep up with them, but they’re a very tough team to prepare for and play against,” said Robbinsville coach Jeff Fisher.
Holmdel gained the early advantage 10 minutes into the contest with Anthony Arena scoring his first goal.
Robbinsville goalkeeper Eric Schreier did his best to keep the Ravens in it, standing up to the relentless Holmdel offensive attack, coming up with three huge saves to keep it a one score game with 12 minutes left in the first half.
Schreier couldn’t keep the Hornets contained much longer, though. Arena sent a nice ball that was tipped by teammate Henry Kiechlin to Eric Hinds, who blasted in the second Holmdel goal of the afternoon.
Moments later, Arena this time hooked up with his cousin Joe Arena, who knocked home his only goal of the game to extend the lead to 3-0 with just over 10 minutes left in the first half.
Robbinsville didn’t back down, however, getting on the board with 6:59 left on a goal by Jorge Mejia to cut the Holmdel lead to two.
The Hornets answered back with a vengeance, scoring two goals in less than 70 seconds, the last being Arena’s second goal to make it a 5-1 game at the half.
“They can score in bunches and they have a lot guys out there that can beat you,” Fisher said. “If we could’ve kept it at 3-1 going into half, it would have given us a lot of hope going into the second half.”
Robbinsville finishes the year with a 9-9-2 record.
“Our record was pretty much what our team was this season,” Fisher said. “We needed to find more consistency. I’m proud of my seniors and everything they gave me this year. We had a good amount of underclassman step into bigger roles this season. Hopefully, they see the effort the seniors poured out this season and continue that effort to help get where we want to be in the future.”
Holmdel (18-0-1) 5 3 — 8 Robbinsville (9-9-2) 1 0 -1
Goals: A. Arena 2, E. Hinds, J. Arena, Kiechlin, Giamanco, Avitabile, C.Hinds (H). Mejia (R); Assists: A. Arena 2, Giamanco 2, Kiechlin 2, E. Hinds, Ng (H); Saves: Murray 1, Chyzowych (H). Schreier 7 (R).
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