Boca soccer team takes aim at GSSL Cup crown – Ocean County Observer
July 1, 2005
Boca soccer team takes aim at GSSL Cup crown
Published in the Ocean County Observer 7/01/05
Staff report
The Jersey Shore Boca men’s open team hopes to capture the Garden State Soccer League Cup on Sunday when it travels to New Brunswick to face the German American Kickers for a chance to advance to the GSSL Cup Final later that day.
The semifinals and finals will take place at the Jersey Knights Soccer Complex with the semis scheduled for 10:15 a.m.
Boca advanced to the semifinals with a 5-1 win over the Sebil Soccer Club, Wayne, in the quarterfinals. Boca keeper Mike McCullion, a 1996 Monsignor Donovan High School graduate, was named the player of the game.
Also making contributions for Boca are former Monmouth University players Guy Lockwood, a Southern Regional graduate, former Central player John Carozza, ex-Toms River East player Andrew Hawtin and former Toms River North player Jason Mancuso. Hawtin and Mancuso also played for Ocean County College.
Boca veteran Eddie Decker, a 1988 East graduate and a former East Stroudsburg University player, will return to the lineup after several weeks of recuperating from a knee injury. Decker played professionally with two teams.
Boca’s player-coaches are Ryan Applegate, who hails from Central Regional, and East graduate Christian Treney.
Berkeley resident Thomas Bannionis has netted five goals in his last two matches for BOCA. However, the Lithuanian-born player will not be available for the semifinal match as he was given a red card and ejected against Sebil. If Boca advances to the championship match, he may be eligible to play.
Boca (11-4-2) competes in the Semi-Pro Division of the Garden State Soccer League.
Meanwhile, Boca’s men’s under-23 and under-20 teams have reached the halfway point in the Mid Atlantic Summer Showcase League. They hope to qualify for wild-card berths in the United States Adult Soccer Association under-23 and under-20 regional tournaments next month.
The under-23 team is 4-8-2 overall, including seven exhibition games, and 2-5 in the MSSL.
Brick’s Justin Fuccello has scored two goals and handed out two assists for the team. Berkeley’s Oron Solon has contributed one goal and one assist. Point Pleasant’s Ryan Campbell and Delran’s Carlos Ruthner have scored one goal apiece while Lacey’s Brandon McGauley has netted one goal.
The team is coached by Steve Ruch.
The under-20 team is 6-6-2 overall, including seven exhibition games, and is 3-4 in MSSL play.
Andrew Perez of Brick has pumped in five goals for the team. Brick’s Justin McGrath has contributed three goala and one assist. Toms River’s Mark Schmiegel has put home two goals while handing out three assists. Hoboken’s Versh Tivzenda has netted three goals.
Lakewood’s Eric Davis and Hoboken’s Chris McGreevy have netted one goal each. Contributing one assists are Hammonton’s Manny Neivens, Hightstown’s Mark Petruniak, Lacey’s Christian Pontier and Jacksons Casey Zambor.
Keepers Chris Konopka of Toms River and Jon Curry-Edwards, Spring Lake Heights, have combined for a 1.43 goals against average in seven league matches. Konopka, a former East player, has posted two shutouts and allowed one goal in three league matches.
from the Ocean County Observer
Published on July 1, 2005