EHT Rallies Past Ocean City Boys' Soccer

The Ocean City High School boys' soccer team lost its composure then its form Wednesday night.

The Red Raiders squandered a two-goal lead in a 4-2 loss to host Egg Harbor Township under the lights in a Cape-Atlantic League game. It was the third straight loss for Ocean City.

The Red Raiders seemed to be on their way to victory the way they played in the first half building a 2-0 lead by halftime. But the Eagles stormed out of the break like a team down 2-0 and never relented, even as their goals piled up.

“We came out guns blazing in the first half, and in the second half, we knew they were coming,” Ocean City coach Aaron Bogushefsky said. “They always come out really strong. They have quick players all over the field. We just gave up a goal and then another one. We just didn’t play our game in the second half. We got panicky.”

Ocean City opened the scoring on a blast by Tristan Johns from more than 30-yards away. Johns sent a direct kick into the box and it skipped past the EHT goalie with 27:43 remaining in the first half. Steve Zellers made it 2-0 10:35 before the half.

Egg Harbor Township's Tim Sost scored two goals, including one less than two minutes into the first half, off a beautifully-played back heel pass from teammate Johnny Prado.

Prado then scored the game-tying goal in the 46th minute on a header, however, the Red Raiders believe that the ball deflected off of his hand instead of his head.

Several Red Raiders players instantly motioned to their hands, and the Red Raiders reserves and coaches were on their feet, but the officials didn't see it that way.

The intensity of the contest increased from there, especially after Ocean City disagreed with some more calls. The Red Raiders were handed four red cards, two for dissension and two for rough play.

“We have to be more mature than that,” Bogushefsky said. “It’s a double-edged sword. They should have more composure. I was surprised a couple got sent off. At the same time, there is a reason for it, because these kids are usually mellow. This is one of the nicest groups of kids I’ve had as far as being friendly.”

The Red Raiders were desperate to grab back momentum, pressing into the Eagles' half of the field, but were caught twice by Egg Harbor Township's counterattack. Nathan Tomassone and Sost both scored on breakaways against the Red Raiders goalie.

“They just played balls over our heads, and they have quick kids who ran onto 50-50 balls,” Bogushefsky said. “And they finished. We had trouble finishing and that’s part of the game.”