Boys Soccer

November 4, 2009

Two from Fernandez lift Union City

Christian Marulanda Union City

Union City goalie Christian Marulanda made 11 saves in the victory.

Click Here for more photos from Union City at Memorial.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

WEST NEW YORK – After losing to Memorial in ugly fashion the last time they met up, Union City was hoping they’d get a chance for redemption.

Last night the Soaring Eagles got that chance and took full advantage with a convincing 4-1 victory in the opening round of the North 1, Group IV tournament at Centennial Field.

“We were hoping the rest of the season we would see them again after that (loss),” Union City coach Bill Shapiro said. “We didn’t see them in the counties, but we lucked out and saw them here.”

“They brought their best tonight,” Memorial coach Albert De Los Reyes said. “We committed two costly errors early in the first half and it turned the whole perspective of the game against us.”

No. 11 seed Union City (11-5-2) split the season series, but had suffered a 4-1 defeat to the No. 6 seed Tigers (11-6-3) in the last matchup in October. Roberto Fernandez helped ensure there would not be a repeat of that. The versatile senior forward/midfielder scored twice for the Soaring Eagles and was a constant presence throughout the game.

Fernandez opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he received a pass from Erick Mejia and unleashed a 15-yard shot for the goal.

Fernandez would strike again in the 47th minute with a free kick from 30 yards out that went inside the left post and past a diving Denis Barberena to make it 3-0 and put the game out of reach.

“(Roberto) had one goal with his right (foot) tonight and one goal with his left,” Shapiro said, calling Fernandez the most skilled player in the county. “He can play forward, he can play midfield, he’s very versatile. He’s such a dangerous player with the ball. If you get a free kick from 40 yards out he can hit it.”

Michael Marin and Kevin Morales also found the back of the net for the Soaring Eagles.

While the Union City offense was running on all cylinders, their defense helped prevent Memorial from doing the same. The Soaring Eagles used a myriad of schemes and players to neutralize the Tigers’ Fernando Alvarez.

“We rotated through making sure he was always covered,” Shapiro said. “We wanted to make sure (Alvarez) was denied before he even got (the ball) and that way kids wouldn’t try to get him the ball.”

“Fernando was well-covered,” De Los Reyes said. “Every time he had the ball there were two or three guys on him. We couldn’t capitalize or create plays.”

With Memorial’s electric forward kept in check they had to rely on others to provide the offense. But Union City keeper Christian Marulanda kept them off the scoreboard.

Holding a 1-0 lead midway through the opening half, Marulanda made a pair of saves on headers from Alvarez and Ricardo Benitez.

Marulanda had to briefly leave the game after the save on Benitez due to a bloody mouth, but returned a few minutes later. Marulanda finished with 11 saves in the win.

“(Christian) carries us back there,” Shapiro said. “The kids lean on him a lot, depend on him a lot. He’s the heart and soul of the defense.”

The lone blemish on Marulanda’s record came when Alfonso Prieto scored in the game’s 73rd minute.

Barberena made eight saves in net for Memorial in defeat.

With the victory, Union City will host No. 14 seed Hackensack in the second round on Friday.

Kevin Morales Union City

Junior Kevin Morales scored in the second half for the Soaring Eagles.

 
1st
2nd
Total
Union City (11-5-2)
2
2
4
Memorial (11-6-3)
0
1
1
 
UC: Roberto Fernandez (Erick Mejia) 14th minute
UC: Michael Marin (unassisted) 22nd minute
UC: Fernandez (unassisted) 47th minute
UC: Kevin Morales (Mateo Restrepo) 60th minute
M: Alfonso Prieto (Orlando Benites) 73rd minute
 

Goalies: M: Denis Barberena (8 saves)
UC: Christian Marulanda (11 saves), Jesus Amaro.