Boca Extends Streak – phillysoccernews
June 25, 2006
June 25, 2006
phillysoccernews.com
BOCA EXTENDS STREAK
Konopka, Curry Edwards keep opponents scoreless
MANCHESTER TWP, NJ – The Jersey Shore Boca U23 men’s soccer team extended their Mid-Atlantic Summer Showcase League unbeaten streak to eight games on Sunday while picking-up a pair of shut-outs along the way as they defeated the Hillsborough Soccer Club 2-0 and Greater Valley United 4-0 at the Manchester Soccer Complex.
Boca improves to 7-0-1 in league play and remains in first place on top of the MSSL U23 men’s standings for the third consecutive week as the league concludes the first half of the 2006 summer season and breaks for the July 4th holiday weekend.
The morning match against a well-organized Hillsborough side proved to be some of the best soccer on the day as both teams attacked with purpose creating quality scoring opportunities while also defending strong.
Boca’s Andy Fraggos tallied what turned out to be his second game winner of the season in the 39th minute when he collected a cross from George Gkionis on the left side just inside the penalty area and beat Hillsborough goalkeeper Brian Lee to the near post.
Just before the first half ended, Hillsborough looked like they had the equalizer with their best scoring chance of the day before Boca keeper Chris Konopka made a fully-extended diving save to his left tipping the certain goal beyond the post and across the end line. Hillsborough could not convert the ensuing corner kick as the half ended 1-0 in Boca’s favor.
Gkionis added his second assist of the game in the 70th minute after he won a ball on the right side about 30 yards out and found Justin McGrath at the far post who put away the insurance goal making the final 2-0.
Boca keeper Konopka, who picked-up his second shut-out of the season and Hillsborough goalkeeper Lee are college teammates at Big East Conference member Providence College.
In the 4th minute of the afternoon match against Greater Valley United, Boca’s Mark Schmiegel bent a 40 yard unassisted ball inside the far post upper netting which left GV keeper standing still to record his first goal and first game winner of the season which set the tone for the rest of the game.
Boca recorded three more unanswered goals from McGrath in the 20th minute assisted by Andy Perez , Fraggos in the 62nd minute assisted again by Perez and Konopka in the 74th minute assisted by Jason Mancuso to make the final 4-0 in Boca’s favor.
Boca keeper Jon Curry-Edwards recorded his first shut-out of season.
Throughout the first eight MSSL games, Boca has scored twenty-one goals while allowing only six.
The Jersey Shore Boca U23 team returns to MSSL action on Sunday July 9th when they travel to West Chester, PA to take on host West Chester United and Milmay FC from South Jersey.
published June 25, 2006
phillysoccernews.com