6-0 Shutout Win For Boys Soccer

Midway through the second half of Montville High School boys soccer's game against Mount Olive, senior J.P. Correa streaked down the right side of the field as if his season depended on it.

Cutting back to the middle between two defenders, he drove a goal home and immediately celebrated with a fist pump. Watching him, you would think he had just given the Mustangs the go-ahead goal in a tight game.

In reality, he scored the team's fifth goal in a one-sided 5-0 shutout of Mount Olive. After his goal, he left the game in the hands of the Mustangs' bench players.

So why the celebration?

"I had to keep the streak going," he said. "I almost didn't get it."

One can forgive Correa, who has scored at least one goal in every game for the Mustangs this season, for wanting to keep his personal stats on track. Montville outmatched Mount Olive, more than doubling its county competitor in shots on goal with 17.

The Mustangs set the tone early, with quick goals in the first half from seniors Andreas Georgiades and Austin Okereke. Montville spent the day on the attack, getting one more goal from Georgiades as well as one each from Correa and junior Eric Manning.

Correa finished the game with one goal and three assists.

Before too long in the second half, the Mustang starters were on the bench.

Head coach Jonathan Lopuski was pleased with his team's win, but said that keeping his players motivated against inferior teams was a challenge, especially in light of the successful season the team has been enjoying.

"It's hard to keep them focused in games like this," he said. "I feel like they come out to play when the games mean a little bit more. It's hard to get them motivated when they've already beat a team or feel superior."

Lopuski hopes that his team can maintain its focus moving forward in the state and county tournaments.

"It's important, because one game where we don't score until the 80th or 90th minute, we can end up losing or tying on something bogus," he said. "In county and state games, you may only get a couple of chances to score in a game and you've got to do the most with it."

Lopuski said that, despite the team's success, he feels there are areas where they need to improve.

"It's important to work on our speed of play, even in games like these," he said. "We've got to use these games as practice to keep the ball moving and finish our chances."

The coach was pleased with his bench players, who spent the majority of the second half on the field.

"I'm very pleased with how they did," he said. "Every game since they've come on, I think only once they've disappointed me. I think they've done more than their share."

The Mustangs' (11-0) next game is on Thursday at home against Jefferson Township. The team beat Jefferson 6-0 in its first matchup on Sept. 23.