September 26, 2009

GFS 9, FSS 0

 

The GFS Tigers roared past rival Friends Select School at the soccer centennial celebration on September 26.  Following the ceremony that honored the 100th anniversary of the first Friends schools soccer games (between GFS, Friends Select, and Moorestown Friends in the Fall of 1909), GFS captured the field from almost the start of the game.

 

GFS scored 3 goals in the first 12 minutes, by Marcelo Osorio-Soto, Jason Symonette and Manolo Sanchez, our 3 leading scorers this season.  With 5 minutes to go until halftime, Manolo scored again on a rocket, and then 2 minutes later, Nick Fromell joined the scoring column--his first varsity goal--when Manolo made a perfect, short, looping ball around 2 defenders and Nick blasted it past the goalie.

Nick continued his scoring spree in the second half with a volley in the 65th minute.  Also in the second half, Cole McCourt, Hank Goldenberg and Hank Goldenberg all scored their first varsity goals.  Coach Matt Zipin notes that "the highlight of the second half was the first varsity goal by captain Sam Mercuris, normally a defender, in the 74th minute.  He got the ball about 30 yards out, made a sweet move to evade a defender and then hit a rocket of a shot that swerved into the upper right-hand corner at about 50 miles per hour.  It was a terrific shot and Sam's teammates recognized his accomplishment and celebrated with him."

Zipin comments, "Our record is now 5-2.  We have scored 25 goals and given up 4.  We have 4 shutouts, including our last 3 games.  We are 3-0 in the Friends League.  Our next game is Chestnut Hill Academy, next Tuesday, a real test for us."