Allentown United U14 girls are rolling along
Flurry of local youth soccer teams post impressive wins

SCOTT FRIEDMAN Allentown United's Chelsea Donnigan gets a step on the Manalapan Mavericks' Hayley Wright during a recent game at the Mark Harbourt Soccer Complex in Allentown.

In their biggest test of this young spring season, the Allentown United U14 girls traveled to Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold to play against Battle of Monmouth Power. The Power were undefeated in 18 months of play, and have ruled the roost in Girls Premier soccer for the past several years.

However, when United came to play, from the opening kick-off to the final whistle they refused to back down, taking the game straight to the Power. Ashley Perritt had an all-star game, making piercing runs down the left wing, putting crosses into the goal area, and on a couple of occasions she came very close to getting a goal with shots that were only just wide of the mark. Super-sub Kelly Bailey also had a very strong game, linking up with the other forwards on some nice one-twos, tackling back and helping out in midfield - a great job by the smallest player on the squad. Those two players deserve a special mention, but from the defense, through midfield to the two forwards, this squad put on a performance equal to anything they've done in the past 12 months. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, both teams received a well-deserved standing ovation from the fans as they left the field.

Keeper Diana Braun, normally one of the busiest players on the field, had a very quiet game - a sure sign that the 10 players in front of her were putting on quite a clinic. United goes into week four unbeaten, with an away game to Monmouth Coast this Sunday.

The Allentown Attack U-11 boys travel soccer team played at home against the tough Point Pleasant Vipers recently. Despite the windy cold conditions, both teams came to play. The game was a hard-fought contest with the momentum swinging back and forth early on. The Attack settled down and began to apply the offensive pressure. After a series of deft passes between the Attack's forward line of Alec Scarano, David Cohen and Steven Hensley, Hensley broke free and drove home a hard shot to put Allentown ahead 1-0. The first half ended with Allentown clinging to a 1-0 lead. Allentown's back line repeatedly thwarted the Vipers' attack. Evan Byrnes and Ryan Darrell combined to shut down the Vipers' speedy striker. Jake Calvitti, Patrick Dawes and Nicholas Miles controlled the Vipers' wings and played strong defensive games. Nathaniel Marquez manned the nets for the Attack and was called on to make a sensational save on a Point Pleasant breakaway to preserve the 1-0 lead. The Attack's midfield kept the play in the Vipers' end for most of the second half. Anthony Derisi, Brady Koontz, Cameron Mory and Kevin Gallagher held down the Attack's midfield. Justin Patrylow and Alexander Valentino helped generate numerous scoring opportunities for the Attack up front, but Point Pleasant's goalie did not allow anything to get by him. The Attack held fast and ensured the single goal held up to preserve the 1-0 victory. Allentown will hit the road this weekend as they travel to Holmdel to play the Mustangs at noon.

The Upper Freehold Regional Men's Softball League (UFRMSL) is now accepting registrations from persons interested in joining the league for the upcoming 2006 season. The deadline to register is April 30. Games will be played on Saturdays. The season begins in early July and runs until October. Games will be played at Allentown Elementary School. Individual registration is $85.

For more information, sponsorship or to obtain a registration form, call (609) 259-6360 or e-mail drdiamond@optonline.net.

The Allentown Vultures defeated the Lacey Krunch, 5-4. Bobby Service scored twice, Alessandro (AC) Mazzone, Alex Fortsch and Luke Search score one goal each to put the Vultures ahead of the Krunch.

In the opening game of the season UFA 40 were at home to Jackson. Local keeper Kirk Bullock made his debut for the team, deputizing for the absent Martin Scarano between the posts. At the other end Bemba Burushkin had a busy morning scoring his hat trick with three goals, allowing UFA to coast home with a comfortable win. With the defense in front of him having a strong game, Bullock soon settled in and looked very comfortable, pulling off a couple of excellent saves when called upon in securing a shutout in an otherwise controlled and confident performance with the seniors. Next week UFA 40 are away at Lakewood.

It was another fine weekend for the Allentown X-Treme U-9 boys soccer team. They improved their MOSA standings to 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 14-1. The team played at home on Sunday against the Middletown Nationals. The X-Treme took a quick lead with five goals in the first 15 minutes. Goals were scored by Justin Scarano, Josh Samuels, Jake Alessi, Kevin Primich, and Robert Ellerson. Assisting these goals respectively were Rory Green, Jake Alessi, Kevin Primich, Connor Sullivan, and Brody Zauner. With a sizeable lead, Allentown was able to switch up all positions on the field. Tommy McCarthy was the first half keeper and Josh Samuels tended net in the second half. The game ended up 5-1. Allentown hopes to keep up winning as it hosts the Lacey Real Olympians at home this Sunday.

The Allentown Attack U-11 boys travel soccer team traveled to Holmdel last weekend to take on the tough Holmdel Mustangs. Holmdel came out of the gates strong, putting tremendous pressure on Allentown's defense. Holmdel had a strong wind at their backs and were able to keep the ball in the offensive zone. Allentown's defense held firm as they weathered Holmdel's onslaught behind the very strong play of Jake Calvitti at left defense and Ryan Darrell in the center of the defense. Allentown had several good scoring opportunities as Steven Hensley and David Cohen pressured Holmdel's defense up front for Allentown. Allentown's midfield of Anthony Derisi, Brady Koontz and Cameron Mory began to take control of the midfield as the momentum began to swing. Evan Byrnes at stopper thwarted numerous attempts to get the ball to Holmdel's striker. The first half ended deadlocked in a scoreless tie. Allentown now had the wind at its back and came out strong in the second half. Allentown's coaching staff made a few adjustments, including moving Anthony Derisi up to striker, and the move began to pay off. Derisi was distributing the ball to the wings and after a series of deft passes, Alec Scarano broke the tie as Allentown took the 1-0 lead. The Attack controlled the action. and as a result of a strong effort by Alexander Valentino, Holmdel's goalie, was unable to hold on to a 50-50 ball and Steven Hensley headed in the loose ball to give Allentown a 2-0 lead. Holmdel was awarded a penalty kick with approximately two minutes to go as an unfortunate bounce on a corner kick hit an Allentown defender's hand. They converted the PK to cut the lead to 2-1. The goal recharged the Mustangs' attack and they were able to launch a high hard shot just out of the reach of the Attack's goalie to tie the game at the buzzer. Nathaniel Marquez played a very strong game in the net for Allentown. He made a spectacular save as he dove to his right and deflected a hard shot that was a sure goal. This save will definitely make the year's highlight film. Allentown remains undefeated as they are 1-0-2 on the year. Allentown plays the East Windsor Dragons this coming Sunday in an away game.

An "F" License Clinic will be hosted by UFASA on May 5 (6.30 p.m.-9.30 p.m.) and May 6 (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) at the Allentown Middle school and Mark Harbourt Soccer Complex. Preregistration is required. For additional information, and to register online, please go to WWW.ufasoccer.com.

The Millstone Patriots U11 boys travel soccer team is currently recruiting several field players for the fall season. The team receives professional training and participates in tournament play. The Patriots play in the MOSA league. Eligible players cannot turn 12 prior to 7/31/2006. If interested, contact Nick at (609) 937-4114 (nick.stephan@maritz.com) or Bill at (732) 599-0402 (fourblueeyes@msn.com).

The Millstone Revolution U8 boys soccer team continued its winning ways on Saturday in Toms Rivers vs. the Storm. With tenacious defense and blazing speed on offense the Revolution won impressively, 6-0, to improve to 3-0. The Revolution again only allowed the opposition two shots on goal as Dante Ricci, Charles Khler, Zachary Furmanec and Brian Mishkin earned their reputation as Millstone's "Brick Wall" defense. Scoring began early with a nicely directed pass from Sam Stephan to Kyle Moore to the put the Revolution up 1-0. One minute later Dominick Gasparro blasted a shot from 20 yards out to make it 2-0. Gasparro added another goal midway through the half, then Matt Blazier picked up an assist when he spotted Stephan in front of the goal to make it 4-0. As Millstone controlled the play throughout, Jimmy McAfee saw the opportunity to come up from his midfield position to knock a 15-yard shot in, to close out the scoring in the first half, 5-0.

Midway through the second half, Daniel Walkley made a nice cutback move to get around a defender and then unselfishly directed a beautiful pass to a well positioned Robbie Hetrick, who one-timed a shot to cap the scoring for the Revolution. On one stretch in the second half, the Revolution brought the ball 60 yards through the Storm with 11 consecutive uncontested passes.

The opposing coach was heard saying how impressed their staff was with the Revolution's ability to pass the ball around the Storm's defense to create scoring opportunities.

The Revolution's next game is Saturday against Lacey.