Boys Soccer

October 8, 2009

Aguilar sets tone for Blue Tide

Omar Flores Harrison

Omar Flores (right) had a goal for the Blue Tide in the victory.

Click Here for more photos from Harrison at North Arlington.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

NORTH ARLINGTON – A right ankle injury may have slowed down Harrison’s Bryan Aguilar, but the scoring touch is still there.

The senior had a goal and an assist within the game’s first 11 minutes as the Blue Tide cruised to a 3-0 victory over North Arlington.

“He did pretty well for being injured,” Harrison head coach Mike Rusek Jr. said. “The best part of Bryan’s game is the hard work he gives you and his quickness. He was lacking that (quickness) a little bit today and that’s a result of the injury. He still did what he needed to do and he’s our top offensive player.”

It took just three minutes for the All-State forward to make his presence felt when he won a loose ball from North Arlington keeper Robert Marrero and chipped it in for the game’s opening goal. The goal was Aguilar’s eighth of the season.

Eight minutes later, Aguilar shuffled a pass to the other half of the Blue Tide’s one-two punch on offense in Omar Flores, who made it 2-0 for Harrison (9-1).

Aguilar suffered the injury, when he got hit in the ankle about a week and a half ago. With both ankles taped, Aguilar said “It hurts a little, but not a lot,” but that it hasn’t changed his style of play out there.

“He’s not playing 100-percent and we’re hoping he will be by this weekend,” Rusek said. “He hasn’t been (there) for a week and a half now..”

Blessed with the early lead and a deep bench, the Blue Tide were able to rest Aguilar and other starters for large stretches of the second half. Harrison may only have four returning starters from last year’s Group I championship squad, but have plenty of depth this season.

“We can go 18 deep and that’s the sign of a nice team when you have 18 players you can rely on in a close game,” Rusek said. We feel comfortable with our depth.”

“We have confidence in all of our forwards,” goalie Jose Fernandes said. “We know that if Bryan’s on the bench they will score.”

One of those reserves, Mauricio Andre added an insurance goal in the 73rd minute despite a collision with Marrero.

That depth is apparent on the back line as well, senior defenders Christian Garcia and Jeimmy Ochoa helped make it an easy afternoon for Fernandes and Ricardo Alves in net.

“It makes my job a lot easier,” Fernandes said. “I have a lot of confidence in them and I have a lot of confidence in myself. It helps me out a lot. They stop a lot of stuff (in front of me).”

Fernandes, who has had the daunting task of replacing former All-State goalie Diego Diaz, made three saves before giving way to Alves midway through the second half. Alves made two stops to complete the shutout.

Marrero had 12 saves for North Arlington in defeat.

Bryan Aguilar Harrison

An ankle injury couldn't stop Bryan Aguilar from scoring a goal and assist.

 
1st
2nd
Total
Harrison (9-1)
2
1
3
North Arlington (5-3-3)
0
0
0
 
H: Bryan Aguilar (Kevin Lourenco) 3rd minute
H: Omar Flores (Aguilar) 11th minute
H: Mauricio Andre (Kyle Lourenco) 74th minute
 

Goalies: H: Jose Fernandes (3 saves), Ricardo Alves (2 saves); NA: Robert Marrero (12 saves).