Ewing edges Pemberton for first win

PEMBERTON >> Little by little things have started to go the way of the Ewing High varsity boys soccer team.

Under first-year head coach David Angebranndt, the Blue Devils have grown in their first four games.

Saturday was their highest point yet as they won their first game with a 2-1 victory over Pemberton and, in the process, scored multiple goals for the first time this season.

Getting to those points took some work, just like continuing to improve from here will.

“We want to keep building on this, and we’ve still got work to do, so I’m trying to keep things positive,” Angebranndt said.

Pitted against a Hornets squad going through similar struggles this season, Ewing took control of the game in the first half, but was not able to score more than the opening tally.

Junior Aaron Zaggi finished a pass from his classmate Jordy Santiago 8:24 into the game, but the visitors were not able to extend their lead despite spending much of the first 40 minutes in Pemberton’s end.

Still, there was no real reason for concern until Hornets’ back Cameron Priar put a 45-yard free kick into the air four minutes into the second half. The ball soared toward the net and did not come down until it dipped under the crossbar above the leap of Blue Devils junior goalkeeper William Bolmer.

Suddenly, the game was tied, and the Ewing players were forced to go back to the drawing board.

“That’s kind of what’s happened to us all season,” Angebranndt said. “The other day we took our first lead, but Hightstown came right back 30 seconds later to tie the game, then scored three more. Maybe it’s a problem of maintaining composure. Maybe it’s just that we’re thinking ahead too much.”

This time around, the Blue Devils came right back. Three minutes after Priar’s goal, Ewing junior Charlie DeBlasio made a charge and chipped the ball over Pemberton goalkeeper Lorenzo Johnson, only to see his shot skip wide of the far post.

Three minutes after that, DeBlasio flicked a ball ahead near midfield, which freed junior Anthony Cruz on a break. Cruz dribbled in on Johnson, then beat him with a shot for the go-ahead goal.

“I remember the ball going in the air, then landing at my feet,” Cruz said. “As I went toward the goalkeeper, I saw the right corner was open, so I shot there.”

A minute later, Cruz got free again and looked like he was going to duplicate his previous effort, but this time his shot never curled enough in the wind and dropped wide of the far post.

“That was my first goal and this is our first win, so I’m happy, and I hope it keeps happening,” Cruz said.

Ewing (1-2-1) 1 1 — 2 Pemberton(1-3) 0 1 — 1

Goals: Zaggi, Cruz (E), CPriar (P); Assists: Santiago, DeBlasio (E).

Shots: 11 (E), 5 (P); Saves: Bolmer 3 (E), LJohnson 8 (P).