Girls Soccer

November 6, 2009

Third time's the charm for Pats

Kelsey Snedeker Secaucus

Secaucus goalie Kelsey Snedeker had 14 saves for her sixth shutout of the season.

Click Here for more photos from Lyndhurst at Secaucus.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

SECAUCUS – For Secaucus this win was years in the making.

After continually falling short in matchups to Lyndhurst, including twice during the regular season, the Patriots finally broke through against their BCSL National rival with a 1-0 victory in the NJSIAA North 2, Group I quarterfinals yesterday at Laurel Park.

“This time it was our turn,” Secaucus forward Cynthia Costello said. “It was our third game against them and it was on our home turf.”

“I think losing to them twice before was an advantage for us,” goalie Kelsey Snedeker added. “It really motivated us today.”

During the regular season, the No. 4 seeded Patriots (11-6-3) lost a pair of 2-1 decisions to the Bears (12-5-2), nor had they beaten Lyndhurst during head coach Gino DePinto’s seven years at Secaucus.

But yesterday was different.

In a change from the two regular season meetings, DePinto moved Ariana Simon from midfield to forward. It took just eight minutes for that decision to pay off when Simon delivered a cross to a wide open Costello in front of the net for the game’s lone goal.

“We came down the field with power,” Costello said. “It was the perfect setup and a perfect cross from Ariana.”

“It was huge for us,” Snedeker said about the goal. “It really pushed us a lot more to keep going.”

One goal wasn’t enough in the two earlier matchups with No. 5 seed Lyndhurst, but a breakthrough performance by Snedeker ensured the one would be enough this time.

The junior goalie made 14 saves to earn her sixth shutout with a game that DePinto said “was the best performance she’s ever had in net.”

“Kelsey stepped up big time, she was phenomenal,” Costello said. “Some of those (Lyndhurst) kicks, I didn’t know what would happen, but she stopped them.”

Secaucus’ lead was quickly challenged by a pair of free kicks from the Bears’ Kristen Raimo, but was turned away by Snedeker both times. Snedeker stopped a shot from Amanda Uhlick and then in the final seconds of the first half, she dove to her left to keep it 1-0 heading into intermission.

The stress level for the DePinto and Patriots would only grow in the second half as they tried to hold on to the one-goal edge.

Snedeker opened the half with a save on Nicole Baratta’s shot. In the 63rd minute, Snedeker stopped another free kick from Raimo, this one from 20 yards away. Minutes later, the Patritos’ Gabriella Visaggio cleared away an additional free kick attempt from the Bears.

Lyndhurst kept up the pressure with a trio of corner kicks in the game’s final 10 minutes, but each time the Patriot defense held to avert disaster.

“It was rough out there late but I was able to keep my cool because the defense was able to keep their cool,” Snedeker said.

Krista Jinks made eight saves in net for Lyndhurst in defeat.

With the victory, the Patriots will host No. 8 seed Dayton in the semifinals on Monday. Dayton is coming off a 2-1 victory over top-seeeded McNair this past Wednesday.

Ariana Simon Secaucus

A move from midfiel to forward paid off for Ariana Simon and Secaucus.

 
1st
2nd
Total
Lyndhurst (12-5-2)
0
0
0
Secaucus (11-6-3)
1
0
1
 
S: Cynthia Costello (Ariana Simon) 8th minute
 

Goalies: L: Krista Jinks (8 saves); S: Kelsey Snedeker (14 saves).