John F. Kennedy Memorial and
New Brunswick High School’s names are not associated with any endorsements associated with the posting of this video. I am a local reporter who submits articles to local newspapers and on sportsblog.com/twitter.
Zebras
Run Wild Over Mustangs, 6-0
By
Stephen Roca
Sept. 15,
2015 -
The New Brunswick Zebras hosted the visiting
John F. Kennedy Mustangs in a
GMC white division matchup on Tuesday, improving their record to 3-0 on the season. Heading into the game,
New Brunswick (3-0-0) had previously defeated
Colonia and
Sayreville with the same score of 4-1, while
JFK (1-3-0) was coming off a tough home loss to
South Plainfield by a score of 3-2.
For the first time on the season, JFK could not produce a goal, as New Brunswick connected for a season high of six times
.
In the opening stages of the game, neither team seemed to have opportunities to strike.
Little by little, the Zebras began getting their chances as their team possessed the ball for what appeared to be 90 percent of the time
. In the 28th minute, midfielder, Sarmiento, stole the ball from
Miranda, and passed it to midfielder,
Galindo.
Quickly, Galindo gave it back to Sarmiento between two defenders, sent it to
Sanchez, who also split a pass through two defenders off to Zarate. Zarate found himself straight on to goal peeling away from the defense, and fired it right past goalkeeper, Sandor for the first goal of the game. An excellent give and go pass routine with the use of quick touches, which went in a direct path straight down the pitch.
A minute later, Sanchez settled a ball coming down in the air on the right sideline. With it, he took it himself, was pressured by three
Mustang defenders, went into the box, and blasted a cannon of a shot into the left up 90s. Golaaaaaaazzzzooooo! 2-0 Zebras
.
In the 39th minute, Sanchez sent a cross inside the box from the Mustang center half. Kicked out by
Mendez, Sarmiento caught the rebound at the semi circle from outside the box, settled it, then rifled it into the left side of the goal. 3-0 Zebras at the half.
The second half started off much like the first half, but this time the Mustangs came out slightly more aggressive, attempting shots far from goal. The Zebras, however limited their shots by dominating the ball and created shots of their own. This can be highly credited to their center midfielder, Arlin
Martinez who was the orchestrator on the field, delivering crisp passes all game long. In the 57th minute,
Kelvin Ortiz ran up the left sideline, rushing past the Mustang defense.
Drawing defenders, he gave it off to Zarate who was wide open inside the box for another easy goal. Zebras 4-0
.
In the 66th minute, goalkeeper, Inestroza punted the ball far down field. From a header in the midfield, Guzman caught the ball and laid it off to
Solano, who then gave it right back to him.
Inside the box on the left side, Guzman took a shot and was able to connect for their fifth goal of the match
.
In the 76th minute, Sanchez found the back of the net once again. He received a pass from Sarmiento on the left wing, took a shift over to the right to be centered at the 18 yard line, and hit a ground ball to the left corner to stay out of Sandor's reach. Zebras with a sound, fundamental team effort for the victory, certainly looking like favorites to win the division.
When asked about his team's performance, coach
Castillo felt his team played very well, sticking to the game plan on passing and shooting to gel as a team. He mentioned how using their speed is a strength they look to use, being that they do not have a tall team. With an undefeated start to the season, he is optimistic his team can achieve their goal of improving their record of 13-5 last year, win the division and a GMC title.
The Zebras all-state midfielder
William Rojas was sidelined to due to a right ankle injury in the previous game. JFK has still been without one of their leading goal scorers from last season,
Johnny Evangeluo.
Both teams play next this Thursday. The Zebras will travel to take on the South Plainfield
Tigers, while the Mustangs will visit the
Perth Amboy Panthers.
Zebras
Goals: Zarate 28th & 57th minute, Sanchez 29th & 76th minute, Sarmiento 39th minute, Guzman 66th minute
Assists: Sanchez 28th minute, Ortiz 57th minute, Solano 66th minute, Sarmiento 76th minute
- published: 19 Sep 2015
- views: 631