Seniors Strike at Shore for Cahillite Win in Wildwood
by: Mark Casasanto
September 1, 2012
Joe Steward (right), senior
In what has become a Labor Day Weekend tradition, the annual Cahillite trek to the shore on Saturday to kick the season off against public league powerhouse and friendly foe, Franklin Towne Charter, saw the sidelines brimming with school colors near and far. Although this was the first year that FTC lined up on the pitch against the Cahillites, the focus for the purple and gold didn't change, in fact, it intensified. "They have a few guys over there who have some playing experiences with Roman, either as underclassmen or in summer league" said Coach Ray DeStephanis. "It's a big game, everybody knows each other, including the coaching staffs. It should be competitive."
Competitive it was. After an early period of a tentative feel them out style of play, Roman gained possession in the offensive end and after some hard work down deep, forced a corner kick. The resulting set piece found a pair of seniors combining for a contested and somewhat controversial goal when Mike Flannigan played a perfect ball onto the head of classmate Chris Jones. The redirected header cleared the keeper and was smartly played out of the goal mouth by a FTC defender. The play was whistled by the official as a goal as on the clear, the ball had traveled beyond the goal line for the Roman tally.
FTC seemingly gained some momentum after the call and with the Callihites up one, their neighborhood rival charged full force. Cahillites keeper, Justin Weiss remained strong and stopped 2 shots (4 of 5 overall) by FTC to help stabilize the home team. Senior backs, Joe Stewart and Danny O'Brien rose to each occasion be it up the stripes on down the middle, allowing little if any penetration into the Roman penalty area.
Back on firm ground, Senior, Dylan Rutledge contested hard for a 50/50 ball in the top third of the pitch and after a deep run along the touchline, drilled a low liner that tucked crisply into the far post to put Roman up by two as the half nearest its end. Asked post matched about the shot Rutledge said, "it's where I wanted it to go, he's a big kid and I thought he'd have some trouble getting low for it."
With Roman seemingly in control at the break, the second half opened with a bang for FTC as they cut the lead to one just thirty seconds into the half. "They came out quick" said DeStephanis and that forced Roman into another gear. Having sustained Franklin Towne's early charge, Chris Jones would strike again, this time converting a Shane Steiner flick-on at about the penalty mark to put the home team up for good at 3-1. At that point, most of the FTC's wind had left their sails and the Cahillites put the opener into the win column for the third consecutive year, this year against a talented and quality opponent.
For the Cahillites, their early season record stands at 1-0-0 and they improve to a record of 3-1-0 overall at Maxwell Field on Labor Day Weekend. They next take the pitch at Fr. Judge in the third match of an Inter-AC vs Catholic League Triple-header on Tuesday, September 5 at 8 pm when the meet Chestnut Hill Academy in what always seems to be a spirited match.
Click here to see photos of the game!
Competitive it was. After an early period of a tentative feel them out style of play, Roman gained possession in the offensive end and after some hard work down deep, forced a corner kick. The resulting set piece found a pair of seniors combining for a contested and somewhat controversial goal when Mike Flannigan played a perfect ball onto the head of classmate Chris Jones. The redirected header cleared the keeper and was smartly played out of the goal mouth by a FTC defender. The play was whistled by the official as a goal as on the clear, the ball had traveled beyond the goal line for the Roman tally.
FTC seemingly gained some momentum after the call and with the Callihites up one, their neighborhood rival charged full force. Cahillites keeper, Justin Weiss remained strong and stopped 2 shots (4 of 5 overall) by FTC to help stabilize the home team. Senior backs, Joe Stewart and Danny O'Brien rose to each occasion be it up the stripes on down the middle, allowing little if any penetration into the Roman penalty area.
Back on firm ground, Senior, Dylan Rutledge contested hard for a 50/50 ball in the top third of the pitch and after a deep run along the touchline, drilled a low liner that tucked crisply into the far post to put Roman up by two as the half nearest its end. Asked post matched about the shot Rutledge said, "it's where I wanted it to go, he's a big kid and I thought he'd have some trouble getting low for it."
With Roman seemingly in control at the break, the second half opened with a bang for FTC as they cut the lead to one just thirty seconds into the half. "They came out quick" said DeStephanis and that forced Roman into another gear. Having sustained Franklin Towne's early charge, Chris Jones would strike again, this time converting a Shane Steiner flick-on at about the penalty mark to put the home team up for good at 3-1. At that point, most of the FTC's wind had left their sails and the Cahillites put the opener into the win column for the third consecutive year, this year against a talented and quality opponent.
For the Cahillites, their early season record stands at 1-0-0 and they improve to a record of 3-1-0 overall at Maxwell Field on Labor Day Weekend. They next take the pitch at Fr. Judge in the third match of an Inter-AC vs Catholic League Triple-header on Tuesday, September 5 at 8 pm when the meet Chestnut Hill Academy in what always seems to be a spirited match.
Click here to see photos of the game!