Considering East Brunswick High was returning 13 varsity players from a very good 2010 squad, Terry McKibbin is not surprised by his boys soccer team's 6-0-1 start this season.
"We were expecting to be good," Coach McKibbin said.
Well, maybe not quite this good.
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"The surprise is that the defense hasn't given up a goal until (Thursday's game against Old Bridge)," McKibbin said. "We went down 1-0. The funny story is that we came back and tied the game 15 seconds later. We have been down a whole 15 seconds this year."
Nevertheless, East Brunswick came back to win 3-2 in overtime. Nigel Joseph and Chris Bradley scored in regulation time. Alec Metsch scored the game winner in overtime.
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"The winning goal came on a free kick that went off the crossbar," McKibbin said. "It was really exciting."
For the most part this year, East Brunswick has managed to keep the nerve-wracking moments and excitement down by the way it has controlled games.
In its first six games, East Brunswick had outscored the opposition by a total of 12-0.
Abu Bestawros and Chris Bradley each scored a goal as East Brunswick opened the season with a 2-0 win over St. Joe's. Nigel Joseph added an assist.
This was an early statement game. After all, St. Joe's is the team that defeated East Brunswick in the Greater Middlesex Conference championship.
East Brunswick also defeated Hunterdon Central, 2-0, on Sept. 10.
Bestawros scored both goals in the win. Bradley and Coby Kelner had assists.
Robert Shalikar, assisted by Metsch, scored the lone goal of the match as East Brunswick defeated Monroe, 1-0, on Sept. 13.
"It's really a surprise that we haven't been giving up any goals," McKibbin said. "St. Joe's and Monroe both had a really good attacker. Hunterdon Central always is tough. Our defense has just been outstanding."
Grant Korten and Emilio Rodriguez have combined to record all the shutouts in goal. They have also been aided by a fabulous defense that has limited the number of shots allowed.
The defense was really needed against North Brunswick when the two teams played to a scoreless tie on Sept. 15.
"The defense moves the ball well and they also communicate with each other," McKibbin said. "We also have a great leader back there on defense in Robert Shalikar."
East Brunswick defeated JP Stevens, 3-0, on Sept. 17.
Kelner, Bestawros and Matteo Resanovic scored for the winners. Bradley (two) and Joseph added assists.
East Brunswick's other win was 4-0 over Piscataway on Sept. 20.
Chris Bradley scored two goals. Bestawros and Shalikar also scored goals. Metsch and Kelner had assists.
"I think we all thought we were capable of being this good," McKibbin said. "It's nice to see that we were able to go out and get off to this kind of start."
