Millstone Patriots look sharp in return to action

The Millstone Patriots U-11 boys travel soccer team was back in action after being rained out last weekend.

Beautiful spring weather was in full force as the Patriots played a make-up game Saturday against Peninsula and their regular game Sunday against Sayreville. In the Peninsula match, one that can best be described as very physical, the Patriots demonstrated they won't back down from a challenge, even when their top scorer, Logan Fredericks, left the game after 10 minutes with an injury. An early goal by James Taylor, on an assist from Dean Stephan, and strong defensive play from the Brick Wall of Jarret Beebe, Andrew Hruszanyk, Stefan Pappas, Brandon Kokich, Danny Frazher and Mike McGinnis held up until halftime.

The attack line of Dean Stephan, Bryan Pfeffer, Anthony Yaccarine and Tommy O'Brien continued the pressure at the start of the second half. Several favorable bounces that left goalkeeper Jordan Rosenthal with no chance to make a save resulted in two Peninsula goals. Undeterred, midfielders Matty Sopher and Ryan Deboer pushed the ball upfield aggressively. The relentless pressure on the Peninsula defense led to a hard foul on James Taylor inside the box after which he converted the penalty kick. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Sunday's match against Sayreville was an artful presentation of ball control and precision passing, which was crucial since the field appeared to be on the smaller end. The Patriots controlled large stretches of the first half through the midfield play of Matty Sopher, James Taylor and Bryan Pfeffer which created multiple opportunities for the attack line of Logan Fredericks, Dean Stephan, Tommy O'Brien and Jordan Rosenthal. A beautiful cross just outside the 18-yard line from Tommy O'Brien into the penalty area made its way onto the head of Jordan Rosenthal and into the back of the Sayreville goal. Later in the first half Sayreville was called for a hand ball in the box. James Taylor deposited the ensuing penalty shot into the back of the net. The second half of play was a mirror of the first.

The feared Brick Wall defense of Jarrett Beebe, Brandon Kokich, Mike McGinnis, Andrew Hruszanyk and Stefan Pappas earned its stripes by negating Sayreville's offense and getting a shutout. Ryan Deboer and Danny Frazher split time in goal and were perfect when called upon to make saves. With 10 minutes to play, the Patriots closed out matters on an exciting play that started with a terrific pass from midfielder Matty Sopher to Logan Fredericks. Logan streaked toward the goal and launched a rocket that the goalkeeper somehow managed to get a piece of. The ball popped over the keeper's head and seemingly over the goal line. Dean Stephan, making a crashing run toward the goal, was able to nudge the ball across the line to erase any doubts and the Patriots walked away with a 3-0 victory. Next up for the Patriots is a home game Sunday against the Toms River Predators at Millstone's Brandywine fields."