November 4, 2011

Sandra Mercado and the Patriots finished the season with a 13-7 record. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Secaucus at Dayton Girls Soccer Photo Gallery

SPRINGFIELD – For most of the season, Gino DePinto knew that this would be his last season as Secaucus’ girls soccer coach.

That future became a reality as the Patriots’ season came to an end with a 5-1 loss to Dayton in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA North 2, Group I playoffs yesterday.

“Yeah, it's a lot of weight off my shoulders,” said DePinto, who has coached high school soccer in New Jersey for more than 30 years. “I'm done. Finito. You'll see my back, but not for a while.”

DePinto, who has spent the last nine years at Secaucus after stints as the boys soccer coach in Weehawken and Belleville, cited family concerns as one of the reasons for stepping down.

Yesterday’s game proved to be a far from ideal ending for DePinto and the fifth-seeded Patriots (13-7). The host Bulldogs would have the lead less than three minutes in when Gianni Izzi’s scored on a shot which Secaucus struggled to handle, giving fourth-seeded Dayton a lead it would never relinquish.

“It was huge. It gave us the momentum throughout the game,” head coach Matthew Lynch said. “We just came out physical all year long and we've been able to score goals.”

Spurred by the early advantage, Dayton (12-6) applied relentless pressure with a fast and aggressive offensive attack from the outside which was a constant source of trouble for the Patriots.

“They were very aggressive,” DePinto said. “They came right after us.”

Senior Anna Lies would make it 2-0 with a goal in the 10th minute and would have a hat trick within the game’s first 25 minutes.

Ariana Simon gave the Patriots a brief hope of a comeback when she scored in the 13th minute off a Gabrielle Fumia pass to make it 2-1. The Bulldogs’ Casey Sheehey would answer back with a goal in the 18th minute.

BriannaMcCaffrey, starting in place of an injured Jessie Koerner, made nine saves for Secaucus in defeat. Ricci Rajoppi made four saves for Dayton, who advances to face top-seeded New Providence in the semifinals.

Despite the bitter end to this season, DePinto sees plenty of reason of optimism for the Patriots and their new, yet to be determined, head coach. The team returns nine starters next season and should remain a factor in its league and playoff section.

“I didn't want to leave the new coach with nothing,” DePinto said. “I wanted tehm to at least have an idea of what's going to happen with the program. Maybe the new coach will be able to build upon what I started.”

Junior forward Lisa Rovatsos and Bayonne will face Union in the state tournament. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Secaucus at Dayton Girls Soccer Photo Gallery