SPFHS Boys' Soccer Controls Cranford

One team is gaining confidence. The other is still searching for answers.

At Shimme A. Wexler Field on Monday afternoon, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School's boys' soccer team, dominated field possession against Cranford High School, marching to a decisive 2-0 win. It was Cranford's third loss in as many games this season. Last year, Cranford lost only once during the entire season.

Scotch Plains had numerous scoring chances, but couldn't convert until 18 minutes into the second half, when Junior Alex Markovits took a high crossing pass from sophomore Morgan Ellman and headed the ball past Cranford senior goalkeeper Mark Osofsky. Osofsky had kept the Cougars in the game with several fine saves up to that point.

Then, with about two minutes left in the game, junior captain Travis Cortes took a left-footed pass from junior Zachary Lenoff and  knocked in an insurance goal for the win in the Union County Conference-Watchung Division.

Scotch Plains improved to 2-1-1 overall, 2-1-1 in the Watchung Division and 2-0-1 since opening the season with a 3-1 home loss to Union.

Cranford, which last year captured its first Union County Tournament championship, but like Scotch Plains, was hit unusually hard by graduation, fell to 0-3. The Cougars have not scored a goal yet this year and have been outscored 6-0. Cranford gave up only eight goals last year in its best season ever, which concluded with a 22-1-2 mark.

One of those ties was to Scotch Plains in the only meeting between the two teams last year. Cranford is scheduled to host Scotch Plains in conference play Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. at Walnut Avenue School.

Ellman's goal midway through the second half was his second goal of the year, and his first on a header.

"I saw the cross coming in and knew I could get my head on it," he said. "I missed a chance earlier in the second half, so it felt good to score there."

With 7:32 left and Scotch Plains leading 1-0, the Raiders were awarded a penalty kick with after Osofsky brought down sophomore Vincenzo Bianco inside the penalty box. Osofsky was given a yellow card on the play and was pulled from the game.

Scotch Plains sent junior Daniel McMillan to take the penalty kick against Cranford backup junior goalie Dan Weber. McMillan shot left, Weber dove in the same direction and the ball hit the left post and bounced back. Cranford's remained only one goal behind.

Scotch Plains kept on charging, and it put the game away when Lenoff lifted a ball from just outside the penalty box to Cortes, who ran to it and, with his right foot, put a shot past Osofsky, who was allowed to re-enter the goal after the penalty kick.

"It took us a little time to find our rhythm," said Cortes, who is a three-year starter and one of two captains along with junior Michael Daly. Cortes has now scored three goals in his last three games.

"We're playing well now," he continued. "We had some bad breaks against Union, but we're playing more as a team right now."

Cranford did have chances to score. Freshman Andrew Gee blasted a shot over the crossbar midway through the first half. With less than 10 minutes to go before halftime, a Cranford corner kick taken by Gee skidded across the crossbar.

"I thought the first half was at least even," Cranford coach Mike Curci said. "They had the better of the play in the second half…. We're still trying to find the right combination. We lost eight starters to graduation and have two freshmen and eight sophomores, so we're a young team."

Both teams were without key players because of injuries. Cranford was missing senior midfielder Connor Demars, and Scotch Plains lacked senior defender Brian Fischer.

"We're still concerned about our finishing," Scotch Plains head coach Tom Breznitsky said. "Each and every game we're improving more. This is a young team that has to learn how to win. One of the toughest things is winning right after losing. The Watchung Division is very competitive, which is good because it will get us prepared for later on in the season."

SCOTCH PLAINS RAIDERS

Regular Season Results and Schedule (2-1-1):

Sept. 11 (H) Union 3, Scotch Plains 1

Sept. 14 (A) Scotch Plains 3, Linden 0

Sept. 16 (A) Scotch Plains 1, Westfield 1 (tie)

Sept. 20 (H) Scotch Plains 2, Cranford 0

Sept. 24 Plainfield, 4 p.m.

Sept. 25 Kearny, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 Elizabeth, 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Bridgewater-Raritan, 1 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Union, 4 p.m.

Oct. 6 Linden, 4 p.m.

Oct. 8 Westfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Cranford, 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Plainfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 16 Bayonne, 2 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Elizabeth, 4 p.m.

Oct. 21 South Plainfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Johnson, 4 p.m.

Union County Conference-Watchung Division for 2010:

Seven schools: Westfield, Scotch Plains, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Plainfield and Cranford. Cranford moved up after winning the Mountain Division last year.