November 9, 2010
Blue Tide fall in semis
Midfielder Eduardo Sanchez scored twice for Harrison in the second half.
Click Here for more photos from Harrison at New Providence.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
NEW PROVIDENCE – With two goals in a span of four minutes to tie the game midway through the second half, yesterday’s NJSIAA North 2, Group I semifinal seemed poised to be the latest chapter in Harrison’s celebrated history of memorable playoff moments.
But neither momentum, nor history was going to slow down New Providence’s Tim Terrezza.
The Pioneers’ standout forward would quickly respond with his fourth goal of the afternoon propelling his team to a 4-3 victory and dashing the Blue Tide’s hope of a 25th state championship.
“We thought we had the momentum,” Harrison head coach Mike Rusek said. “We thought we were actually going to be the ones who scored the (winning) goal. But it didn’t happen and that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Terrezza, who gave third-seeded Harrison (17-3-2) fits all afternoon, took a pass from teammate Justin Singer and buried home the game-winner with a shot from the top of the box in the 66th minute.
“After they scored the tying goal I was like I really got to get my butt in gear and go because I can’t let my season end on this game,” Terrezza said.
It was a familiar theme throughout the day as Terrezza used his speed to get behind the Blue Tide defense and score. In the 50th minute, Terrezza gave his team a 2-1 lead with a goal from the right side of the box past a sliding Carlos Gutierrez. Terrezza would make it 3-1 in the 60th minute after receiving a long pass and scoring on a breakaway.
“His speed (was the difference),” Rusek said. “He was quicker. He blew by a couple of our kids today.”
“I think this is, considering it’s the sectional semifinals, the best game I’ve had in my whole high school career,” said Terrezza who scored his first goal on a penalty kick in the 20th minute. “I saved it for a good time.”
With the game seemingly out of hand, Harrison roared back with a pair of quick goals from senior midfielder Eduardo Sanchez.
In the 61st minute, Sanchez cut the deficit down to just one after scoring on a scramble in front of the goal. Just three minutes later took a corner kick from teammate Brian Costa, beat a defender then delivered a strike into the back of the net and tie the score in stunning fashion.
“I’ve been telling the kids you don’t have to win pretty, you just have to win,” New Providence (15-4-1) head coach Teddy Niedzielski said. “We’re 3-1 up, they tie it and the kids didn’t hang their heads. They went right back out there which was great to see.”
Zack Klapwald got the win in net for the Pioneers in his first-career varsity start. Pressed into action with New Providence’s top two goalies out, Klapwald made nine saves in the victory.
Gutierrez made six saves for Harrison in defeat. Costa, who assisted Sanchez’s tying goal, scored on a free kick from 30 yards out in the first half to tie the game at 1-all.
New Providence's Tim Terrezza (second left) celebrates with teammates after a goal.
1st |
2nd
|
Total |
|
| Harrison Blue Tide (5-0) | 3 |
4
|
7 |
| Secaucus Patriots (2-3) | 0 |
1
|
1 |
| H: Chris Osiecki (Mauricio Andre) 18th minute | |||
| H: Andre (Vinny Abarca) 25th minute | |||
| H: Jason Cunha (Michael Barbosa) 36th minute | |||
| H: Cunha (Luann Oliveira) 47th minute | |||
| H: Eduardo Sanchez (Bryan Costa) 48th minute | |||
| H: Facundo Barreta (Guilherme DeSiqueira) 50th minute | |||
| S: Suad Kaqimi (Eric Kosky) 54th minute | |||
| H: Terry Gutierrez (Goncalo Santos) 75th minute | |||
Goalies: H: Bryan Tapia (5 saves), Carlos Gutierrez (3 saves); S: Adam Swift (20 saves), . |
|||