After goalkeeper Calogero Caruso saved a penalty kick with 7 minutes to play, u15 Boys ASL Coach Kevin Nash starting thinking that his team actually had a chance to win their final Triangle Friendlies game versus SYA Cardinals 99 Red. SYA, ranked 6th in Virginia and went 3-0 at the 1st ASL weekend at Bethesda, dominated the 1st half, but the Spartans defense kept them off the scoreboard.
Playing with 12 players Friday and 13 players Sat & Sunday, the Spartans 99/00B ASL team surprisingly grew stronger in the 2nd half. “The boys grew more confident on the ball and started causing problems for a very talented, athletic SYA defense,” said coach Nash.
With 12 minutes remaining, the Spartans went up 1-0 off a brilliant flowing counter-attack finished off by Forward Jason Berkowitz. Minutes before the goal, right fullback Nick Tavernise moved up to center forward and made an immediate difference up top. Defenders Tyler Martins, Maneesh Gogineni & Tavernise stood out especially on Sunday. The midfield of Aaron Sandler, Avery Coreschi, Ira Daly and newcomer Ben Kubany did a fantastic job defending and starting to get the team playing more attacking soccer in the 2nd half.
In Game 2 on Saturday, the Spartans battled to a 0-0 draw versus DC Stoddert, a team they lost 4-0 to last year. Friday the Spartans lost 3-1 to a strong Maryland United team. Tyler Martins scored a 30 yard free kick in the upper 90 for the lone Spartans goal.
Brady Chambers, a JU u14 player, did a wonderful job filling in at the back, as the team traveled without 3 starting players.
Coach Nash was speechless with the Spartans performance after the win. He stated, "I should stop being surprised this team keeps beating some of the top teams in the Region because it's starting to happen more and more. With Caruso in goal, he can keep us in games versus anybody. This might be the toughest group of young players I've ever had at JU. They are not intimidated by any top team and will always play with heart.”
The Spartans have put themselves in a position to complete for a top 8 spot in the ASL regular season and earn a trip to the ASL Championships. The Spartans next event is the ASL Spring Showcase Feb 28-March 1 in Williamsburg, VA.