LINWOOD — The Mainland Regional High School boys soccer team continued it impressive season with a 6-0 win Oct. 4 over Atlantic County Institute of Technology.
The Mustangs, 8-3-1 overall, 8-0-1 in the Cape-Atlantic League National Division under Coach Alex Weidman, are now gearing up for the CAL Tournament and NJSIAA South Jersey Group III playoffs.
James Breitinger led the way for Mainland, scoring two goals — including one in the opening seconds — and two assists to sweep the season series with the Red Hawks.
“It’s a good team effort. Everyone did well, did what they needed to do,” said Breitinger, a junior from Linwood. “Every win that we get, I think just increases the confidence. Everyone is working hard. Credit to the coaches, they have done an excellent job preparing us. I think as the season progresses and we are playing more important games, we just feel more and more confident.”
Leading scorer Cooper Brookbank added a goal to go along with an own goal in the first half to give the Mustangs a 4-0 lead.
Goaltender Brandon Dionicio, a sophomore from Somers Point, had his sixth clean sheet and eighth win of the season.
“Last year they had a pretty good season but couldn’t finish it, so this year we’re hoping to go even further,” Dionicio said.
He said the team is feeling confident going forward, giving credit to the defense for making his job easier.
“Brandon’s doing a really nice job in there. We weren’t sure what to expect from him to start the season — he was a little inexperienced, never really played too much goalie — but he just looks calm and cool and collected back there that it looks like he has been doing it for a couple of years. It’s really impressive to see a young guy be able to do that and he’s been great. He saves the balls that he is supposed to and he’s comfortable with the ball at his feet,” Weidman said.
After the break, Mainland continued to dominate possession and quickly scored a fifth goal, this one from Northfield junior David O’Donnell on Breitinger’s second assist at 38.35.
“We have a couple of players that are playmakers on the team. Cooper is a lot of the time the beneficiary of those playmakers and he’s tough. He’s got a nose for goal and a knack to score, but if we can get James and David O’Donnell going, it’s hard to stop us because the ball is always moving,” Weidman said. “That’s the big idea with our offense is to keep the ball moving so you can’t just key on one person.”
The early dominance allowed the Mustangs to get experience for some of their younger players.
Somers Point sophomore Slovensy Benoit, working hard down the left side, battled in the corner and came away with the ball, passing it in front to a waiting sophomore Ty Pierce for the tap-in to complete the scoring.
Weidman said crunch time is upon the Mustangs.
“The playoffs are approaching and we are trying to fight in a tough Group III; Group III is really stacked this year,” he said.
Breitinger, who had six goals and eight assists following the contest, said the team is ready.
“After every loss, we definitely analyzed the game to see what we could have done better. I think when we’re playing our best and we take care of what we need to, we can hang with the best; I don’t think there is anyone we can’t beat,” Breitinger said.
– STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
