Boys Soccer Wins First Round Match

The Garden City boys have found the first round of the playoffs to be a nemesis over the past few years and this years squad was up for the challenge of vanquishing those ghosts. What they didn’t realize was that although they were facing the number 16 seed, Lawrence was a hungry, talented team that wanted to feed off those past troubles.

Lawrence put the pressure on Garden City in the first half as they had the wind at their back but the Trojan defense stood tall and protected their home field advantage in front of keeper John Mackey, who when called upon jumped on any loose ball or shot. GC had trouble in the first half getting any continuity in their passing game and they couldn’t free up their forwards to make a run at the Lawrence goal.

Although not what Coach Cutter was looking for in a number 1 seed versus number 16, the boys were able to come out of the half locked in a 0-0 battle.

The second half started much better for the Trojans as they started to control the midfield and use the wind to their advantage. The trouble was that Lawrence was still not allowing them to get a clean look at the goal and GC was unable to get that first playoff goal. The best chances in the half came from set plays - four straight corner kicks and three dangerous Chris Tavernese throw ins from deep in the 18 yard area. But each time missing the right head or foot and ultimately being cleared.

With the game getting precariously close to the end of regulation, the boys attacked once again down the sideline with J.P. Basile sending a high cross into the box that Luke Keating flicked off his head and into the middle of the box. Drew Haggerty aggressively beat his defender and struck a shot with the outside of his foot for his first goal of the season. And the ultimate game winner with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

The Trojans battled with the feisty Lawrence team down the stretch and held on to the 1-0 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals against number 9 seed Jericho on Tuesday at 4:00.