November 2, 2010
Morales scores twice for UC
Kevin Morales (right) celebrates with teammates after his second goal of the game.
Click Here for more photos from Roxbury at Union City.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
UNION CITY – Union City’s Kevin Morales may be one of Hudson County’s top scoring threats during the regular season. But when the temperature drops and the state playoffs start up, the Soaring Eagles’ forward becomes an unstoppable force on the pitch.
Fresh off a breakthrough performance in last year’s playoff, Union City’s own version of “Mr. November” was at it again as he scored a pair of first half goals in a 5-1 win over Roxbury in the opening round of the NJSIAA North 2, Group IV playoffs.
“With the cold I play better,” Morales said. “I want to score more this year. That’s my goal.”
“Last year in the state tournament he had five goals in three games,” head coach Bill Shapiro said. “He’s already got two goals. I’m hoping he can repeat that and actually does better than last year.”
Morales needed just five minutes to get to work on matching last year’s playoff exploits. The senior forward took a long pass from teammate Manny Ramos and withstood a collision with Gaels keeper Steve Graziani for the goal and a quick 1-0 lead.
In the 28th minute Morales would strike again with his second spectacular goal of the afternoon. Morales slid from the top-left corner of the box, beating Graziani to the ball and scoring once again.
“If he’s got the ball at his feet from 25 yards out from the goal, he’s so quick and he’s such a smart player,” Shapiro said. “He’s very dangerous because he spins defenders around and they don’t know where to go.”
Morales’ two goals sandwich a goal from teammate Bryant Rapalo in the 12th minute to give the fourth-seeded Soaring Eagles (12-5-2) a 3-0 advantage into the half, thanks to a fast-paced, ground attack which was running on all cylinders.
“On a turf field I think we’re tough to beat as long as we’re on our game, especially playing the ball on the ground,” said Shapiro, surprised by just how fast of a start his team got off to. “I think we came to play and especially counter-attack wise we were very dangerous.”
Omar Jallo and Michael Marin added insurance goals in the final minutes for Union City. Marin, who also had an assist in the win, and Morales were on the same page all day long as their combination of chemistry and skill led to countless scoring opportunities for both guys.
“We’ve been playing together since we were like 10 years old,” Marin said. “We’ve been playing for Union City (since the youth leagues) so we understand each other better.”
“Kevin Morales and Michael I think are probably the best pair of forwards in the league,” Shapiro said. “Maybe not individually, but together (I think so).”
Jesus Amaro made six saves in net for Union City. The lone blemish came on a header from Dylan Hammer in the 42nd minute.
Graziani made nine saves in net for 13th-seeded Roxbury (7-12-1) to keep them in the game for most of the afternoon.
With the victory, the Soaring Eagles advance to face fifth-seeded Morris Knolls in the second round on Thursday.
Senior forward Michael Marin had a goal and an assists for Union City.
1st |
2nd
|
Total |
|
| Roxbury Gaels (7-12-1) | 0 |
1 |
1 |
| Union City Soaring Eagles (12-5-2) | 3 |
2 |
5 |
| UC: Kevin Morales (Manny Ramos) 5th minute | |||
| UC: Bryant Rapalo (Michael Marin) 12th minute | |||
| UC: Morales (Santiago Gonzalez) 28th minute | |||
| R: Dylan Hammer (unassisted) 42nd minute | |||
| UC: Omar Jallow (unassisted) 77th minute | |||
| UC: Marin (unassisted) 79th minute | |||
Goalies: R: Steve Graziani (9 saves); UC: Jesus Amaro (6 saves). |
|||