Delran’s run ends in state semis

HOPEWELL TWP. » It was billed as the Delran boys soccer team’s proven system against the star power of Holmdel.

On this front it was the latter that clearly prevailed as Holmdel (21-1-1) defeated Delran by the score of 3-1 Tuesday night in a Group II state semifinal.

Playing in front of a large crowd on the Hopewell Valley pitch, these teams went at it right from the start in a game that featured tough tackling to go along with a high level of play.

Delran struck quickly, and it was a thing of beauty less than five minutes into the first half.

It started with a cross to Chris Hunt, who deftly backheeled a pass to Scott Woodington in the center of the box. Woodington did the rest by cooly booting the ball into the corner of the net to easily beat Holmdel keeper Matt Lionette.

Holmdel, meanwhile, drew even with 2:26 remaining in the first half when Justin McStay scored off a scramble right in front of the goal mouth. It was the 26th goal of the year for McStay, who earlier in the feisty first half received a yellow card along with his brother Mark McStay.

This proved to be the real turning point of the game because before Delran could recover Holmdel poured across two more goals less than five minutes into the first half.

Scoring machine Anttony Arena got the first one when he put home a rebound of his own shot. It was the 36th goal of the year for the Holmdel junior.

It only got worst from Delran from there when it failed to clear a ball out of the box and Matt Leon cleaned up from close in to the make the score 3-1.

Homdel dominated much of the secod half from there and could easily have gone up by more as Arena and Co. continued to look dangerous on the attack.

As would be expected, a Delran team loaded with pride did turn up the heat in the final 10 minutes in a desperate attempt to get back in the game, but it was all for naught against the talented Shore Conference squad.

Delran (19-3-2) Holmdel (21-1-1) Goals —

Wodington (D), McStay, Arena; Matt Leon

Hunt (D).

7 (D), 8 (H). Haliloglu 3 (D), Lionette

Assists — Shots — Saves —

4 (H).

(H). 12 10 — — 3 1