by R.E. HEINLY/Sentinel Sports
ERMA – The Lindsays, John and Reed, who ironically live in the Lower High School district but are choice students at Ocean City, led the way as the Red Raiders defeated the Caper Tigers 3-0 in a clash of unbeaten boys soccer teams Thursday, Oct. 22.
Ocean City improved to 6-0 while Lower is now 4-1.
John Lindsay, returning from injury, scored late in the first half on a twisting free kick that deflected off a diving Anderson Ryan in goal for Lower. He and Reed Lindsay (no relation) added second-half goals to wrap up the Red Raiders’ hard-fought victory. Nick Chiccarine assisted on Ocean City’s second goal and Ben Stieger on the third. Red Raider goalie Kyle Plenn (3 saves) and Lower goalie Ryan (6 saves) were both outstanding.
It was the type of spirited, skilled and speedy game one would expect from two outstanding teams. Ocean City dominated field position and ball possession for much of the game, effectively muffling Lower’s explosive offense and outshot them 12-6. Defenders Chris Calabro and Sergio Miller along with goalie Plenn gobbled up many long Lower passes. Reed Lindsay was also a major factor in the Red Raiders’ dominance of midfield play which Lower coach Dennis Elia felt was a big key to the game.
Elia said “two real good teams met today and today they were better.” He felt his team hustled and played hard, but was a bit too respectful, maybe intimidated by Ocean City’s aura and thus played a bit hesitantly at times especially in the second half.
“Give O.C. credit, they were the better team today and deserved to win.” Elia was also pleased to welcome Andrew Weber and Donovan Richardson back to his lineup after injuries. He cited goalie Ryan for his outstanding play.
Ocean City coach Aaron Bogushefsky said his team “played one of our best games so far today” and that they had to because “this is one of the best Lower teams I’ve seen in years.”
Bogushefsky lauded Plenn, the Lindsays, Stieger and Calabro for especially fine play. “It was especially great to see (John) Lindsay come back from injury and play so well.” He felt his team “adjusted well to a really good Lower team in the second half.” He cautioned more improvement will be needed for success in the upcoming playoffs.
Lower will also make the playoffs this year. Like his Ocean City coaching counterpart, Elia stressed his team will have to get even better if it wants playoff success.
Win or lose, what happened after the hard-fought game ended put it in a proper, broader perspective. Both teams joined in presenting Lower’s Braden Brojakowski with a game ball and wishing him success as he battles cancer, as the large crowd in attendance applauded. Coaches Elia and Bogushefsky both agreed that the ceremony made both teams winners in the larger game of life. In Bogushefsky’s words, “The soccer community came together to support one of our own.”