Firestorm Start Season With Win

Riverdale NJ – Sunday marked the start of spring soccer for the Florham Park Soccer club. As teams play home and across Morris County, the U10 Boys Firestorm were hosted by the Pompton Lakes/Riverdale Shooting Stars.

The Firestorm came home victorious after the full 50 minutes of play in a 2 – 1 nail-biter.

The boys of Florham Park started out strong in the first half when they grabbed a strong hold of the game and notched the first goal of the contest.
Tri-Captain, Chase Sugg, opened his account a little after 10 minutes to give the boys in blue the 1 – nil lead after a quick throw from Tri-Captain Jack Garing got him running toward goal.
Sugg’s continuous hard work was the key ingredient for the goal and the teams great start with multiple chances coming his way.

“Sugg’s positive outlook, team spirit and endless hard work paid off for him today. The skipper is all deserving of his goal” Coach Christian Garing stated in a post-game conversation.

Firestorm had their hands full with a Shooting Star player who was able to pick up a loose ball and rocket a shot into the upper onion bag.
The shot was the best shot of the game as the boys had their hands full with this player.

It didn’t take long in the second half when Tri-Captain Matty O’Leary opened his account for the boys in blue just about 2 minutes after the start of second half.
Shortly after having his goal called back for being offside, O’Leary received a pass from Bryce Cicchino and then was able to put one past the net minder for the game winner.
Cicchino played well as an outside winger helping the team make transitions from defense to offense

“O’Leary works hard. That is something I ask of all my players. He could have easily put his head down after his goal got called back. But end result matches his attitude” Coach Garing remarked after the game.

Luke Ferrara was a stalwart on defense holding up the back line and tasked with keeping the lead. Ferrara’s tireless effort wearing both midfield and defensive boots was a key ingredient for the result on Sunday.
Ferrara comes out of the match with the most minutes played and gave everything he had into this win

“We were in a tough spot. We were getting pressed a lot by their big guy up front. Luke is a great player to give an assignment to. He answered all questions for the team” Coach Garing noted.

Key players in Sundays victory also include Colin Heinold who held the ball up well in the midfield. Jack Galante who would have constant pressure on the Shooting Stars backline.
Christopher Malcynski put in a great effort playing out of his regular position.

Garing starred in defense along with Teddy Petro, Jimmy Casola, and Rocco Santillan who all played well.

Net minders Jack Botwin and Leif Youngren had solid games protecting the onion bag as well as being in defense when they were asked to step on the field
Youngren made an MVP save late in the game to preserve the win for the boys in blue

Assistant Coach Santillan remarked in a post-game conversation, “Exciting day. It was a nail biter for sure. But at the end of the day , you can see how well the boys were passing the ball around.”

The Firestorm are well deserving of their opening win.

Photo courtesy of Bob Ferrara