NJCSA

U13 and U15 Find Success at NEPAL Showcase; U16 Are Table Leaders
Eric Hurd
As of 10/13/15

NJCSA’s teams continue to make noise across the region. This past weekend, our U13 and U15 teams competed in the 2015 Fall Northeast Pre-Academy League (NEPAL) Showcase at Classic Park in Manheim, Pa., Oct. 10 through 12.

Also in Manheim, our U16 USSDA boys’ team competed in a highly important match, as a win would have resulted in a tie for first within the table. Below are the results from the action packed weekend.

NJCSA U16 USSDA

Game (1) Sunday, Oct. 12 – PA Classic Field 5 at 2:30 p.m.

With first place on the line, NCJSA U16’s involvement in Pennsylvania this past weekend featured one of the biggest matches so far this season. This group took on PA Classics 2000 knowing that three points meant a tie for the top spot in the table.

NJCSA U16’s started the game out strong by controlling possession and building from the back in order to create chances down each side of the pitch and into the box.

Following more than 15 minutes of control, NJCSA opened the scoring by connecting passes down the right side of the field before placing a one touch cross pass the keeper for a 1-0 lead. It was much of the same minutes later as NJCSA doubled its advantage.

Starting from the back, precision passing through the midfield and down the left side of the pitch ended with a one touch finish after an initial deflection off the post.

Sensing the danger of being down 2-0, PA Classics began to pick up the pace and make a charge for its first goal.

Within minutes of NJCSA’s second goal, a turnover in the midfield led to a 20 yard chip for PA Classics, which landed in the back of the net, cutting the deficit in half, 2-1. PA Classics would build on this momentum, and with just 10 minutes remaining in the first half, added a second goal with one touch passing down the center of the field. This would tie the game up, 2-2, heading into the half.

In the second half, both teams battled for momentum and possession, with chances few and far between. Knowing they needed a change, NJCSA brought on three reserves with less than 30 minutes remaining in the game. It was a tactical change that would eventually pay dividends.

NJCSA earned a free kick opportunity with 15 minutes remaining. With a long bending ball into the box, NJCSA’s players battled for position and eventually landed in the back of the net off a clean header to take a 3-2 lead.

Knowing how much time was left in the match, NJCSA returned to the position play they excelled with in the first half, and eventually saw out the 3-2 win over PA Classics.

“Well we set off with a comfortable lead and that rolls into a false sense of security, we dropped our guard, tied it up, turned it into a more exciting game then it should have been,” Coach Wayne Galloway said of NJCSA’s performance on Sunday. “Fortunately we stuck to the task and got the eventual game winner.

This victory gave NJCSA 14 points on the season, and a tie atop the table with New York Red Bulls.

“It’s huge because it takes us to the top of the league with the number one team in the country, which is the New York Red Bulls,” Galloway said. “Now everyone on our team and everybody in our club and everyone in the sister club sees that we can compete with the best teams in the country.”

NJCSA U16 returns to the field Saturday, Oct 24 against FC Boston Bolts at the Capelli Sports Turf Field in Tinton Falls, N.J.

NJCSA U15

Game (1) Saturday, Oct. 10 – PA Classic Turf 4 at 12:00 p.m.

NJCSA U15 began its showcase campaign against PA Classics 2000 at noon on Oct. 10 in what turned out to be a defensive battle.

While both sides had opportunities early and often, each keeper made a number of significant saves early in the match. While NJCSA and PA Classics both ended the first half with a goal, either side went into the break with an advantage.

In the second half, much was the same for the first 30 minutes. Neither team was able to gain control of the match, as both defensive units were making key tackles in the final third of the pitch.

With just under 10 minutes remaining however, NJCSA began building momentum, increasing the number of free kick and goal scoring chances. Unfortunately, despite their continuous effort and battle throughout the match, they were unable to break through.

NJCSA U15 ended day one of the NEPAL with a 1-1 draw and a point added to their total in league play.

Game (2) Sunday, Oct 11 – PA Classics Turf 4 at 12:00 p.m.

Day two of the NEPAL Showcase proved to be difficult for NJCSA U15 against the tough Philadelphia Union 2000 side they faced at noon on Sunday, Oct. 11.

NJCSA began the match looking to build on the success they found towards the end of the first match. They were able to dictate momentum in the middle and final third, while making key defensive tackles when needed. With less than 15 minutes remaining in the match, NJCSA created a chance down the right end of the pitch, which ended in a header grazing the far post. It would prove to be the best opportunity in the half for NJCSA, as just minutes later, Philadelphia Union took the lead on a late first half penalty kick.

Down 1-0 and looking to create more goal scoring chances in the final third, NJCSA continued to battle for every ball and opportunity to possess. While able to create shots on goal, this style of play opens up the potential for counter attacks. This is what happened on Philadelphia Union’s second goal of the match midway through the second half.

Despite being down 2-0, NJCSA never gave up and continued to push on. Within the final 20 minutes, they were able to generate more than seven chances at goal. Once again however, their ability to create chances led to counter – attacking opportunities for the opponent. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Philadelphia Union added its third and final goal off a headed cross pass the keeper.

Regardless of the result, NJCSA U15 was able to walk away with some positives for the offensive side of the ball and was poised to rebound on the final day of the NEPAL Showcase.

Game (3) Monday, Oct. 12 – PA Classic Turf 4 at 12:00 p.m.

Day three of the NEPAL Showcase featured NJCSA U15’s best showing of the event. By building off of the previous two results, they were able to finish off the showcase with a victory.

NJCSA matched up against Everton F.C. Westchester 2000 in what was eventually a 4-2 victory to the green and white.

Everton F.C. Westchester initiated the match with strong attacking opportunities and pressure on the ball. This tactic ended up creating a number of turnovers against NJCSA. Within the first 15 minutes, one of these chances resulted in a low cross within the 18 yard box that would be one touched passed the keeper, giving Everton F.C. Westchester a 1-0 advantage.

Despite being down once again, NJCSA never faltered from the game plan. A strong defensive stand 25 minutes into the match resulted in a long ball down the middle of the field, which was flicked into the path of an oncoming attacker and sent passed the keeper for the equalizer. Both sides would continue to battle for possession in the remaining 15 minutes before ending the half tied 1-1.

Following a short break, the second half nearly mirrored the events of the first 40 minutes. On an early attacking opportunity, Everton F.C. Westchester one touched a rebound opportunity to take a 2-1 lead.

However, NJCSA would battle back as they did throughout the showcase. After strong buildup play down the middle of the field, NJCSA placed a shot pass the keeper off of an initial save, tying the game up, 2-2.

NJCSA’s momentum carried on for the rest of the match. The side would continue to create chances in the attacking third, putting Everton F.C. Westchester on the defensive.

One of NJCSA’s created chance paid off when a forward was tackled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick. After converting this chance to take a 3-2 lead, NJCSA would wrap up the match with a one touch goal from the top of the six yard box just minutes later.

NJCSA would go on to win its final NEPAL Showcase matchup, 4-2, over Everton F.C. Westchester.

Recap:

Outside of the positive results and collection of four points in the table, NJCSA U15 proved its place within the NEPAL and its spot in the weekend’s event. With improvements on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, there will be more opportunities this season to grow on this showcase success.

NJCSA U15 will return to the pitch Saturday, Oct 24 against FC Boston Bolts 2000 at Thompson Park in Lincroft, N.J.,

NJCSA U13

Game (1) Saturday, Oct. 10 – PA Classic Turf 1 at 4:00 p.m.

NJCSA U13 opened up its NEPAL Showcase competition against a tough BW Gottschee 2002 group at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 10. However, NJCSA came ready to play, knowing it would be facing some of the best competition in the country.

NJCSA opened the scoring early against BW Gottschee. The opportunity came from continued pressure on the ball, which led to a turnover in the middle third, a ball played to the outside, and a near post shot past the keeper.

NJCSA would continue to pressure the ball and create turnover opportunities throughout the first 40 minutes. However, NJCSA was unable to place the ball past the keeper again before the half.

With a 1-0 lead, NJCSA continued to create opportunities in the attacking third. Unfortunately, the inability to score gave BW Gottschee the momentum, and on a turnover in the midfield, led to an equalizer against NJCSA, 1-1.

BW Gottschee continued to push on, creating chance after chance. NJCSA was able to keep them from scoring until the final 10 minutes when a ball from the middle of the field was one touched passed the keepers extended arms, giving Gottschee a 2-1 lead.

In the closing minutes of the match, NJCSA was able to create one final push, stringing together passes similar to the setup of the first goal. Unfortunately, this time the near post shot was saved in the final two minutes, giving BW Gottschee the 2-1 victory.

Game (2) Sunday, Oct. 11 – PA Classic Turf 1 at 2:00 p.m.

After experiencing defeat on day one, NJCSA U13 knew the difficulty it faced on day two against a strong Albertson SC 2002 side on Sunday, Oct 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Alberton SC would come out firing, using strong team play and off ball movement to create multiple chances throughout the first half. With a complete team effort, NJCSA was able to hold Alberton SC to four goals before scoring its first.

This would spark some momentum for the side, as they were able to close the gap to 4-2 just minutes into the second half by using complete team passing up and down the field. This tactic would lead to a number of other chances for NJCSA, before Albertson was able to respond on the counter attack with two quick goals, growing its lead to 6-2.

Despite the results, NJCSA U13 was set to learn from the first two days of the showcase and make a statement on the final day of the event.

Game (3) Monday, Oct. 12 – PA Classic Turf 1 at 10:00 a.m.

NJCSA U13’s final game featured a matchup against D.C. United 2002.

NJCSA started the game attacking and defending as a unit, creating multiple attacking opportunities, while simultaneously holding off D.C. United on the defensive side of the ball.

However, D.C. United was able to create a long-ball fast break opportunity down the side of the pitch, which resulted in a one-on-one situation and goal against the keeper.

U13 refused to quit, however, as it would continue with the attacking mentality, creating an opportunity down the middle of the field after a strong defense stand. A forward was able to run on to the ball and one touch it into the corner past the keeper, tying up the score, 1-1, before the half.

Excited by the momentum they created in the first, NJCSA came out pressing in the second half. Unfortunately, a late whistle within the first 10 minutes resulted in a counter-attacking reset and a long range goal for D.C. United, giving them the 2-1 lead. Despite all efforts to respond as they did in the first half, NJCSA continued to create impressive attacking opportunities but could not find the back of the net.

With less than five minutes remaining, NJCSA would see a great shot, and free kicker header pushed wide of the post, ending its efforts to equalize the score.

NJCSA would fall just short against D.C. United, with a final score of 2-1.

Recap:

Despite the results over the three day event, NJCSA U13 made major improvements and challenge some of the NEPAL’s best organizations. It proved NJCSA’s continue improvement in all levels of the academy.

NJCSA U13s return to the pitch Saturday, Oct. 24 against FC Boston Bolts 2002 at Thompson Park in Lincroft, N.J.