HC
Sports
The Herald Courier, Friday, April 10, 2015
61
Cosmos blank Strikers in opener, 1-0 Winger Leo Fernandes headed in the game’s lone goal as the New York Cosmos defeated the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1-0 in the North American Soccer League Spring Season opener for both teams at Lockhart Stadium Saturday night. Cosmos winger Walter Restrepo served a perfect corner to Fernandes, who powered his header in from just outside the six-yard box in the 58th minute. “The team showed a lot of character and personality tonight,” Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said after the match. “We were able to battle and keep a clean sheet in a game that was very difficult. We looked like a team that was ready to step onto the field and battle.” Spanish legend Raúl went 53 minutes in his Cosmos regular season debut before being replaced by Sebastián Guenzatti. He nearly caught up to a teasing back-post cross from Fernandes in the 34th minute. Against one of his former teams, Restrepo was particularly dangerous in the attacking third as the Cosmos stretched their unbeaten streak over Fort Lauderdale to six games in the modern era. Their only draw came last year at Lockhart Stadium. “It was an important one for us to start on the right foot,” Savarese added. Fernandes, a North Babylon native on Photo / Jon van Woerden loan from the Philadelphia Union of MaMarcos Senna (No. 19) battles Léo Moura for control. jor League Soccer, also proved dangerous throughout the match. Scoring his first “It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. game.” regular season goal for the Cosmos was “Ever since I joined the Cosmos I’ve been Immediately after the game Fersomething special. very happy. It’s great to score in my first nandes spoke to his father.
“He told me he probably won’t go to sleep tonight,” said Fernandes. “That’s how excited he is. It’s a great feeling to keep him awake.” Brazilian midfielder PC nearly scored first for the Strikers when he split a pair of defenders in the 38th minute and put a shot from 16 yards out on frame. But Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer dived to his left to parry the attempt away. In the 67th minute Cosmos midfielder Marcos Senna unleashed a low shot from distance that was just wide left of Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper David Meves’ net. The Strikers nearly equalized in the 75th minute, but Brazilian midfielder Leo Moura put his free kick from 27 yards off the outside netting. Maurer made another big save four minutes from full time to keep Strikers forward Dani Sanchez from netting an equalizer. “He showed a lot of maturity,” Savarese said of his second year goalkeeper. “Playing as a starter last year made him grow. He’s more settled in the role. He had a very good match today. He looked very secure.” Meves robbed Guenzatti of an insurance goal in the 90th minute when he saved the midfielder’s first-time volley off a cross from fellow midfielder Adam Moffat. The Cosmos had their best scoring chance of the first half in the first minute of stoppage time, but Meves saved Restrepo’s shot and Fernandes put a rebound off the post.
Chaminade celebrates championship Lady Jaguars top opponents, 3-1
The Chaminade High School Flyers, coached by Bob Paul, beat the Firebirds of Kellenberg Memorial, 57-38, at Farmingdale State College in front of over 3,000 screaming fans last month to win the 2014-2015 NSCHSAA Class ‘A’ Long Island Championship. This was the Flyers’ second Long Island Basketball Championship in three years. Players pictured at left: Thomas O’Connell, Kevin McNoble, Sal Fradella, Tom Tubridy, George Olvany, Sean Clark, Matt Johnson, Mike McGuire, Charlie Salter, Ryan Dean, Quinn Sudam, Nolan Prendergast, Owen, Prendergast, Dan McEntee and Kyle Murphy.
On Sunday March 29, the New Hyde Park Wildcats GU13 Lady Jaguars defeated the SABA team, 3-1. Bella Arato scored the first goal, assisted by Andrea Bouzos and Samantha Coope. The second goal was put into the net by Mary Tsahas and the third goal was again executed by Bella Arato. The remaining offensive team of Caitlin McDonough, Nicole Orlando , Zoe Winston, Erin Lutz, Aisling McGrath and Vrisida Bouzos kept the game in Lady Jaguars’ control.
The defensive team of Alexandra Caldwell, Catherine Rivera, Jillian Fager, Nora Higgins and Samantha Corrigan played strong and held the SABA team to a single goal. Linda Artuso continued to be a brilliant goalie as she kept the Lady Jaguars in the game with her many saves. Trainer Andre Higgins and coach Brian Higgins were pleased with the team’s willingness to play hard after trailing 1-0 early on in the game. The Lady Jags’ persistence and team play paid off in a win. Great job.