The Upper Township Soccer Association’s U12 Nor’Easters defeated the Washington Township Force on Sunday, March 21, at Washington Lake Park.
The Nor’Easters played the whole game with no substitutions due to a few absences. It was looking like they would have to play shorthanded when Angelo Recinello realized that he forgot his cleats at home after making the hour-long drive. Luckily, Mom was able to find a Dick’s Sporting Goods and acquired a new pair and made it to the game with minutes to spare.
The Nor’Easters quickly took the lead when Tommy Christopher tapped in a left-footed goal after a well-placed cross. Then Anthony Goodman put himself on a breakaway after juking five players but found himself on his back after a swing and a miss. He soon made up for it when he put the Nor’Easters up 2-0 with a one-timer off a volley from Recinello.
The Force tried to come back with a goal just before the half but shortly afterward Recinello sprinted past three defenders on the left side and perfectly crossed the ball to Tommy Meister, who put himself in position to blast a shot into the net. The Force scored another goal, making it a 3-2.
The Nor’Easters defense of Sam Benson, Liam Weber and Michael Halliday stood strong against the Force. Goalkeeper Columb Higgins was like a brick wall as he blocked many shots on goal.
With nearly five minutes left to play, striker Matt Barnabei drilled a turn-around spinning shot that was perfectly placed into the bottom right corner, which completely made up for him being called offside four times previously.
Tommy Christopher added another goal to finish the game with the Nor’Easters victorious 5-2, improving their record to 1-0-1.