Boys Soccer

September 24, 2009

Mayaka's two pace High Tech

Kevin Mayaka High Tech

Kevin Mayaka scored two goals as the Lasercats remain unbeaten this year.

Click Here for more photos from McNair at High Tech.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

SECAUCUS – After winning their first three games with little resistance, High Tech faced their first serious test of the young season yesterday. The Lasercats emerged from the challenge and some early adversity with a 4-1 victory over McNair at Laurel Park.

After winning their first three games by a 21-0 margin, High Tech (4-0) found themselves in trouble late in the first half. The Cougars (4-2) tied the score on a Matt Velazquez penalty kick and momentum seemed to be on their side.

But in the 38th minute, Kevin Mayaka broke through after several near-misses in the first half. With McNair goalie Joe Toegel sliding in towards him, Mayaka blasted a shot over Toegel and in the back of the net.

“(McNair) had started off tough,” High Tech coach Jose Gonzalez said. “They’re a very good team. They got the goal and the momentum shifted. But that late goal (by Kevin) was big. Once we had the lead we felt confident that it would hold up.”

Mayaka would strike again in the 57th minute. Toegel had stopped a Brian Molina shot, but a collision between Toegel and High Tech’s Jose Arismendi caused the ball to trickle towards Mayaka for his second goal of the game and eighth of the season.

With Mayaka’s combination of speed and strength, the Lasercats used a lot of long passes to get him the ball. The strategy worked in creating multiple scoring chances, but occasionally that strength works against the senior forward, resulting in fouls.

 

“It has always been my strength and my weakness to tell you the truth,” Mayaka said.

Arismendi assisted on both of Mayaka’s goals. With their talent and on-field chemistry, Arismendi and Mayaka have established themselves as one of Hudson County’s most potent duos.

“Jose’s the finesse and Kevin’s the brute,” Gonzalez said. “They work great together.”

“He’s like my brother, my best friend,” Mayaka said about Arismendi.

In addition to the exploits of Mayaka and Arismendi, the Lasercats were on the receiving end of a couple of favorable bounces. Conor Woods’ corner kick in the 13th minute went off the head of a McNair defender for an own-goal to open the scoring. Later on, Nick Gonzalez scored on a corner kick that went off of Toegel’s hands and into the net.

Toegel made 14 saves in net for the Cougars while High Tech’s Ahmed Bendary made four stops to earn the victory.

High Tech may have confirmed their status as the top team in the new Hudson County Division B, but McNair feels the gap has narrowed since last year’s 6-0 defeat in the HCIAA Seglio title game.

“I think the guys know that we can play with the best of them now,” said McNair coach Fred Durst, who called this the best team he’s had in six years there. “It’s a real confidence booster for them.”

Joe Toegel McNair

McNair's Joe Toegel (left) made 14 saves on Jose Arismendi (right) and High Tech.

 
1st
2nd
Total
McNair (4-2)
1
0
1
High Tech (4-0)
2
2
4
 
HT: Conor Woods (unassisted) 13th minute
M: Matt Velazquez (penalty kick) 31st minute
HT: Kevin Mayaka (Jose Arismendi) 38th minute
HT: Mayaka (Arismendi) 57th minute
HT: Nick Gonzalez (unassisted) 71st minute
 

Goalies: HT: Ahmed Bendary (4 saves); M: Joe Toegel (14 saves).