CBA Tops GC 3-1
In case you have't heard and care to hear, CBA won its 12th Non-Public A South title by beating Gloucester Catholic 3-1 earlier tonight. Andrew Liapis scored two more goals, making it five in three state games, and Chris Mergenthaler scored the first of the night to round out the CBA scoring.
That's only the third time I've seen CBA this year and the fifth time in two years covering the area, but that's the best I've seen them look. They moved the ball really well and they created a lot of scoring opportunities without needing a set-piece. Of course, the first goal came off a corner kick, when somehow, Mergenthaler got his foot on the ball and toe-poked it past the keeper despite doing do with about three defenders surrounding him.
The defense was especially impressive, headed by Jim Lannon who had a very nice game. I commented that this year's CBA team didn't play as physically as last year's, but they have picked up the intensity in states. That seems to be their thing. Whatever was wrong in the regular season, fix it for the postseason.
In terms of talent, Andrew Liapis is one of the better forwards in the Shore, but with the style CBA plays, it didn't show in production early in the year, because the goals are pretty evenly distributed among a handful of players. Now, that talent is turing into production, and Liapis is playing as well as anyone this tournament season, including Kyle Bethel. In the second half of this game, CBA assistant Jeff Matson told him to move to the midfield and moved Rob Patten up top in order to get Liapis the ball earlier and it made a clear difference. Liapis did indeed get the ball earlier and he was able to get the ball to Patten who eventually gave it back to set up Liapis' first goal. He's a really skilled player with a lot of speed and with five goals and two assists in five playoff games, he's thrown his name into the All-Shore hat.
CBA plays Seton Hall Prep in the finals Tuesday night at TCNJ, and beating them, will be a very tall task. The Pirates are a North Jersey Powerhouse with some of the best talent in the state and should be considered the favorites to win. But CBA wasn't far from winning the title last year, and they might be stronger in the field than they were last year. The key for them will be in goal, where Alessio was off-and-on today. He made some big saves, but did let a ball get over his head for the lone goal. There's not much margin for error against SHU-Prep, so he, along with everyone else, will have to be in top form.
I'll have have a little more on this game as we get closer to Tuesday night.
That's only the third time I've seen CBA this year and the fifth time in two years covering the area, but that's the best I've seen them look. They moved the ball really well and they created a lot of scoring opportunities without needing a set-piece. Of course, the first goal came off a corner kick, when somehow, Mergenthaler got his foot on the ball and toe-poked it past the keeper despite doing do with about three defenders surrounding him.
The defense was especially impressive, headed by Jim Lannon who had a very nice game. I commented that this year's CBA team didn't play as physically as last year's, but they have picked up the intensity in states. That seems to be their thing. Whatever was wrong in the regular season, fix it for the postseason.
In terms of talent, Andrew Liapis is one of the better forwards in the Shore, but with the style CBA plays, it didn't show in production early in the year, because the goals are pretty evenly distributed among a handful of players. Now, that talent is turing into production, and Liapis is playing as well as anyone this tournament season, including Kyle Bethel. In the second half of this game, CBA assistant Jeff Matson told him to move to the midfield and moved Rob Patten up top in order to get Liapis the ball earlier and it made a clear difference. Liapis did indeed get the ball earlier and he was able to get the ball to Patten who eventually gave it back to set up Liapis' first goal. He's a really skilled player with a lot of speed and with five goals and two assists in five playoff games, he's thrown his name into the All-Shore hat.
CBA plays Seton Hall Prep in the finals Tuesday night at TCNJ, and beating them, will be a very tall task. The Pirates are a North Jersey Powerhouse with some of the best talent in the state and should be considered the favorites to win. But CBA wasn't far from winning the title last year, and they might be stronger in the field than they were last year. The key for them will be in goal, where Alessio was off-and-on today. He made some big saves, but did let a ball get over his head for the lone goal. There's not much margin for error against SHU-Prep, so he, along with everyone else, will have to be in top form.
I'll have have a little more on this game as we get closer to Tuesday night.
posted by Matt Manley at 2:02 PM
1 Comments:
The Colts have been playing together with purpose recently. All of the wheels have been turning. As Andrew Liapis said everyone is doing their job. Rob Patten has really stepped up big in the front middle fighting for and winning many more balls. Rague and Rafferty are running harder on the outsides, getting back and taking bigger risks forward. The defense is working well supporting one another. Vasily, Krachie, Kilkeny and Lannon are a very close knit unit. Alessio is playing for the game of his life and has shown real character and poise. LaMura and Mergenthauler are battling well in the middle. Brennan and Delnero provide real spark off the bench.
Gone is the pass back to go forward game. In its place is a methodical attack aimed at landing as many blows on the opponent's net as possible.
The real victory for this team has already been won. They have found one another. I do not believe they care who they are playing. They are going to show-up as a team and give of all their blood, sweat and tears.
Go Colts.
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