Boys Soccer: Metea Valley Rocks Fenwick 3-0
Mustangs get goals by Kevin Decker, Ryan Soloman, Adam Miller to complement defense
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AURORA — The Mustangs played well on both sides of the ball as they blanked visiting Fenwick 3-0 on Tuesday, winning the first match of the Pepsi Showdown tournament.
Metea Valley received goals by senior midfielders Kevin Decker and Adam Miller and senior forward Ryan Solomon to improve the Mustangs’ record to 2-0-2.
In the 29th minute, Metea Valley senior midfielder Marco Cattani broke away from Fenwick defenders and pressed into the box. Fenwick junior goalkeeper Jacob Peterson went out to block the kick, but Cattani crossed to Decker who easily scored his second goal this season.
Metea Valley senior midfielder Zack Bavol launched the ball toward Peterson in the 42nd that he deflected. However, Solomon then batted the live ball in for the 2-0 edge.
“Bavol was outside the 18 and took a nice shot,” Solomon said. “It had a little spin on it, so I thought there would be a rebound. It hit off the goalie and I put it in the back of the net.”
Solomon assisted to Miller for his first goal in the 67th for the concluding tally.
“I was running up the sideline and Evan Cudone played a ball up the side and I just ran on to it, put a few touches on it, played a cross and let Miller finish it,” Solomon said.
Fenwick head coach Robert Watson feels his Friars (3-2) outplayed the Mustangs in the first half before tiring in the second half by constantly defending their own backfield.
“We outplayed them in the first half,” Watson said. “We had the majority of possession. We had more chances to score, failed to finish our opportunities and made some mistakes in the back, which just cost us.”
Fenwich senior forward Justin Giacotto played well by attacking the Mustangs’ net. Giacotto had five shots on goal, including near scores in the 13th and 60th that were denied by Metea Valley junior and senior goalkeepers Gabe Gongora and Derek Carothers.
“We had our chances, but we couldn’t get it in,” Giacotto said. “We were unlucky.”
Solomon said the Mustangs want to be competitive in the Pepsi Showdown, win 15 matches this year and win regionals.
The Mustangs will play in the second round of the Pepsi Showdown on Thursday against Niles West (5-2), which defeated St. Rita 3-0. Time and location will be announced.
