Boys Soccer

October 25, 2009

HCT: Two wins a wash out

Marco Haffner

Marco Haffner and Kearny held a 3-0 lead when play was suspended due to lightning.

Click Here for more photos from North Bergen at Kearny.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

KEARNY – In a wild game between North Bergen and Kearny in the quarterfinals of the Hudson County Tournament, it only seemed appropriate that the ending would be bizarre as well. In this case, it is an ending that has yet to truly be determined.

Playing in heavy rain for most of the contest, play was halted with around 19 minutes left in the second half due to lightning. After a roughly 45-minute delay, play was suspended with the storm still going and large puddles on top of the turf at Kearny Stadium.

Whether the game would be resumed, declared a final or restarted was unknown at this time. The game’s fate was set to be decided in a meeting by the committee that runs and organizes the Hudson County Tournament.

At the time of the suspension, the top-seeded Kardinals held a 3-0 lead. Eddie Silva opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he beat Bruins’ goalie Jesus Solis for a loose ball and shot into an empty net.

Kearny added two more in the second half as Rhett Gross scored from around 40 yards out in the 48th minute. Just four minutes later, Almir Batista headed one in off the finger tips of a leaping Solis to make it 3-0.

In addition to the rain, there was a controversy at the end of the opening half as the referees ruled that time expired before North Bergen could get off a free kick after a Kearny hand-ball. The game also saw multiple yellow cards handed out to both teams.

North Bergen vs. Kearny was not the only match affected by the weather. The matchup between No. 5 seed Dickinson and No. 4 seed Memorial was postponed to today.

In other Hudson County Tournament action:

Harrison 2, Union City 1

Omar Flores scored on a penalty kick and added an assist as the No. 2 seeded Blue Tide advanced yesterday in Harrison. Jeimmy Ochoa scored the other goal for Harrison (15-2) off a Flores corner kick. Jose Fernandes made four saves in the victory.

The Blue Tide will face St. Peter’s Prep in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Elvis De La Cruz scored the lone goal for the No. 7 seeded Soaring Eagles (9-6-2) and Marco Barreria made 12 saves in defeat.

 
1st
2nd
Total
Union City (9-6-2)
0
1
1
Harrison (15-2)
1
1
2
 

St. Peter’s Prep 3, High Tech 1

Andrew Hayes had two goals and an assist to lead No. 3 seed St. Peter’s Prep into the semifinals yesterday at Caven Point. Angelo Addeso also found the net for the Marauders (12-5-1) and Mark Zatta made three saves in the win. St. Peter’s Prep will now face Harrison in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Kevin Mayaka scored the lone goal for the Lasercats (16-3) in defeat.

 
1st
2nd
Total
High Tech (16-3)
0
1
1
St. Peter's Prep (12-5-1)
1
2
3