Absegami Boys' Soccer Team Scores Late Goal to Beat Vineland

Sean Manganelli scored a late goal and rescued a victory that never should have been in doubt.

The Absegami High School sophomore scored on a header, as the boys' soccer team edged Vineland, 3-2, on Oct. 3 in Galloway Township.

The Braves controlled the game, especially between the 18-yard lines on the soccer pitch, but the game was tied late in the second half, after Vineland came back from two goals down.

Ivan Solano beat two defenders on the left edge of the box, and sent a pass to the front of the goal. Manganelli was there to flick a header past the Fighting Clan goalie for the winning goal.

"I just headed it backwards," Manganelli said. "We probably could have scored more, but I'm glad we won the game."

The Braves had more chances, won most of the 50-50 balls, were better on one-on-one matchups, and were more willing to send two players to the ball.

It was that kind of hustle and skill that put the Braves in front 2-0.

Andy Kupp put Absegami up 1-0, putting away a goal with an assist from Brolin Cruz.

The Braves made it look easy for their second goal. Anthony Maruca found an open Gianfranco Rifici, who sent a cross from the left side.

Joel Rodriguez was on the receving end of the pass, and headed home the ball for a 2-0 advantage.

"It was a pretty big win," Rodriguez said.

Despite dominating the play the Braves squandered their lead. Vineland's Rafael Klepicki scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute on what the Absegami side thought was a questionable call. Even the Fighting Clan coaching staff thought they received a beneficial call.

The Fighting Clan converted a corner kick in the 64th minute, as Louis Andrion was credited with the goal. The corner kick was originally called a six kick for Absegami, but one official overruled the other to give Vineland the chance.

Despite the calls and losing the lead, Absegami never let it affect its play.

"There is no doubt about it. That was big," Absegami coach Bill Rose said. "The guys could have buried themselves. We did a good job with that."