Roth's Goal Not Enough Against Red Devils

The Watchung Hills Regional High School boys soccer team team dropped a heartbreaker to Hunterdon Central High School in Warren on Tuesday afternoon, losing 2-1 in double overtime.

In Short

The Warriors pushed the pace offensively in the first half and were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead, despite a bunch of corner kicks for Hunterdon Central.  In the second half, however, the Red Devils made adjustments at halftime and controlled the tempo of play for the second half, scoring the tying goal midway through.  Late in the second overtime, a ball that bounced around in the Watchung box was finally buried by Hunterdon Central, dropping the Warriors to 2-6 on the season.

Warrior of the Game

Ben Roth – The sophomore midfielder got the lone goal for the Warriors midway through the first half, which put Watchung up 1-0.  On a ball that found his foot just inside the box, Roth tried to go across the grain to the far post.  The ball hit the inside of the post and bounced into the net as the Warriors celebrated the early lead.

Other Key Performances 

John Marques – The junior goalkeeper did all he could to give his team a chance to win.  Towards the end of the first half, a Red Devil was in close quarters on Marques and tried to pop the ball over his head.  Marques got a finger on it to knock it over the goal.  Midway through the second he had to dart to the top of the box to thwart a semi-breakaway.  Lastly, in the first overtime, Marques made a scrambling, diving save on a loose ball near his goalline.  That kept the game tied.

Coach’s Take

“A little miscommunication.  We’ve got to talk and read the trajectory of the ball as they come in.” – Head Coach Greg Leonow on the winning goal

“In the first half, we created opportunities.  Roth had a great goal.  The field conditions made a more indirect game the entire day.” – Leonow on the offensive tempo in the first half