WW-P North shuts out New Brunswick to advance
PLAINSBORO >> The beauty of being one of the better teams in the Mercer County Tournament is that no matter what happens, the bigger prize still awaits. The NJSIAA state tournament is the true finality of the season and where stars can shine on the biggest stage.
That’s what this week has been about for the West Windsor-Plainsboro North boys soccer team, which advanced to Central Jersey Group IV semifinals by shutting out New Brunswick at home Thursday, 2-0.
Just nine days removed from losing to Hopewell Valley as the top seed in the MCT, the fourth-seeded Knights (14-2-2) responded first by knocking off defending sectional champion Princeton on Monday.
“Everybody was really disappointed because we had a really good season,” sophomore forward Jean-Anthony Portuguez said. “That day we just couldn’t execute. We had a lot of chances and we just couldn’t execute. I think that kind of helped us to grow up and learn about it, and we came out stronger Monday against Princeton.”
Fifth-seeded New Brunswick won in the quarterfinals against 12th-seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro South, which made the MCT final.
Portuguez, who scored North’s second goal, said the team received intel on the Zebras from some of the South players and parents. And North head coach Trevor Warner scouted them last week in New Brunswick after the bracket came out, knowing the potential that the teams would meet.
North pitched a shutout by keying in on Felix Pereyra and Yeffry Rodriguez. Those two forwards accounted for 31 goals and 20 assists this season.
“Basically to not let 13 (Pereyra) get as many touches on the ball,” Warner said when describing North’s defensive game plan. “And when he did, we had to close on him quickly. He is their attack, and I think our presence was felt through the midfield. He moved up top a little bit, but I think our back four have really been strong all year and they really welcomed the challenge to try to take the kid out of the game.”
The game was scoreless for nearly 35 minutes, but North was creating more quality chances and set pieces. The Knights eventually found a rhythm and took control with two goals in two minutes late in the first half.
Senior Nick Pugliese struck first with 5:18 on the clock when he booted in a deflected pass. Portuguez made it 2-0 by making a quick move on two defenders and finishing from a tough angle on the left side with a perfectly placed shot into the right corner.
“I saw the chance to cut in, because I’m really bad with lefty (shots),” Portuguez said with a chuckle. “The other day I kind of had the same goal, so today I just did it again. Their defense was really, really good, but I was able to cut in and make that goal.”
Portuguez, a sophomore, leads North with nine goals this season — three of which have come in the state tournament.
Warner said his young forward is at his best when he gets others involved, and Portuguez has really started to buy into North’s team play.
“He’s developed so much over the course of the season, but more importantly over the last week and half in the most important time of the year,” Warner said. “That’s when you want a goal scorer to feel good and to see the ball hit the back of the net. Fortunately for us, he’s at that point right now where he’s seeing the ball hit the back of the net and he’s getting more and more confident. He relishes the moment. He really does.”
North next faces top-seeded Hunterdon Central on Monday. As the senior-laden Knights huddled following Thursday’s win, they celebrated the opportunity to practice again Friday and continue pushing for the ultimate prize.
New Brunswick (13-4-1) 0 0 — 0
WW-P North (14-2-2) 2 0 — 2
Goals: Pugliese, Portuguez (WWN). Assists: Joseph, Pugliese (WWN). Shots: 13 (NB), 18 (WWN). Saves: Vizcaino 5 (NB), Kerins 4 (WWN).