In what was the biggest game of the year so far, Holmdel Boys Varsity Soccer dealt Rumson their first loss of the season, and moved into a tie with Rumson, for first place, in the A-Central division.
The three time A Central Division Champs upset the predictions today, and tied it all up, by beating #1 Rumson, and giving both teams an 8-1-1 (6-1-1) record. It was an exciting first half, with a great job by both team's goalkeepers. Holmdel sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Marchiano had 3 big saves at the end of the first half to send his team into halftime tied at zero.
Rumson scored first, early in the second, converting a goal from the scrum, after a corner kick. Holmdel fired back in the 52nd minute on a goal by junior, Gino D'Agostino, his 7th of the season. Holmdel scored again on a penalty kick by junior, Eric D'Aleo after senior, Jason Kyriacou was taken down in the box while on a break away. Now with the lead, the Hornets tightened up their defense and came away with the 2-1 road victory.
Meanwhile, the girls made it look easy, with a 5-1 win over Rumson, at home. They now sit atop of A Central and Central Jersey Group 2 with a 9-1-0 (8-0-0) record. The Girls ended the first half up 1-0, on a goal by sophomore, Gabby Bair. But, Holmdel took off in the second half, as Bair added another, her 11th on the season, sophomore, Hannah Lee scored 2 and senior, Alexa Limbach scored her first goal of the year. Rumson scored its lone goal by converting on a penalty kick.
The Holmdel bleachers were again full of young spectators, as HYAA hosted the 2-6 grade girls program on the field at half time. HYAA soccer commissioners, Jim Calhoun and Eric Hinds, have done a great job introducing the Holmdel recreational program to the high school community by arranging for these half time exhibition games.
Both the Boys and the Girls play their next games against Monmouth Regional on Tuesday. The Girls play away at 3:45 p.m. and the Boys play home at Roggy field at 5:30 p.m.
Congratulations to both teams on their wins today! The season is really heating up now. Come on out and catch a game. I'll see you there.
