Having gone 2-0-1 in their past three matches, the hope was that the Islanders were once again finding their footing, and just at the right time, with the league set to get underway.
While it was not the 2-0 week Coronado was looking for, the Islanders still managed to post a 1-1 week, taking home a 3-1 win over Madison High School, before falling later in the week to Patrick Henry 3-0.
“We wanted to come into these games with the right attitude and work ethic,” said Head Coach Jeff Roe. “I felt like the boys handled themselves well, even in the loss to Patrick Henry I felt like we played well.”
Much like they have done in their recent matches, Coronado would start fast against Madison. After controlling the ball in the attacking third for much of the first 10 minutes of the match, Coronado’s constant pressure would be rewarded.
In the 13th minute, Noah Santos beat his man along the right wing and laced a ball by the Warhawks’ keeper into the bottom left corner of the net to make it a 1-0 Islanders lead.
Now, Madison would manage to tie things back up just a few minutes later, but with under two minutes to play in the half, Coronado’s offense would strike again.
The Islanders would draw a foul in the box at stoppage time and send senior Aidan Treishman to attempt the PK. Treishman would easily beat the keeper with a low runner into the bottom left corner to make it a 2-1 game at the half.
“Those fast starts on offense are important to us,” commented Roe. “The boys had been playing well in the first of games and not always seeing the results from it, so it was nice to see them nab multiple goals in the first half to sort of remind them if they keep at, they’ll find success.”
Out of the break, Treishman would help bolster the lead in the 57th minute as he tapped in a header off a corner kicker delivery from Beckett Herr to give him a brace and make it a 3-1 game.
While Treishman’s goal went a long way in helping Coronado close out the game, the play of Coronado’s back line down the stretch also proved critical. Ethan Messner would help an Islanders back half that would hold Madison Scoreless in the second half to help seal the 3-1 win.
“It was nice to have a shutout in the second half. Leo (Salata) came away with some really good saves in the second half,” commented Roe. “It was nice to see them step up and understand that we cannot concede goals late, even with a lead, cause it can put a tea right back into a match.”
Following the 3-1 win, the Islanders would experience a bit of a letdown against Patrick Henry as they fell 3-0. Through, that 3-0 final score is a bit deceptive.
Down 1-0 in the 77th minute, Coronado would play a dangerous ball forward that appeared to find Ryan Chalepas with a potential one-on-one with the Patriots’ keeper. However, that opportunity was nullified due to a more than questionable offside call that whistled the play dead, preventing Coronado the chance to tie and dramatically changing how the final minutes were played.
“I think the boys played their hearts out in that game. That offside call, he wasn’t offsides; it was clear as day,” said Roe. “It was the one time where I told the boys played well, and the refs just hurt them.”
Coronado’s record now sits at 6-4-1 and 1-1 in the City Leag... Click here to read full article
ARTICLE SOURCE:
