M-A started the game strong, pressing the opposition aggressively and winning back possession of the ball quickly. The Bears kept the ball at their feet for most of the half, patiently cycling it around their defenders while looking for an opportunity to attack. Despite this, the Cougars defended well, not letting the M-A attackers get many chances to score. Just 13 minutes into the game, the Cougars managed to take possession, and a header would give them their first goal to making the score 1-0.
After this, M-A was determined to recover and began to play with more urgency, swinging an onslaught of long passes and crosses to their attackers in hopes of scoring. Senior defender and midfielder Alan Vail carried the ball up the sideline of the field before launching a pass to the attack. Despite this, Newark defenders managed to thwart all of M-A’s shot attempts, making it difficult for the Bears to score.
With 12 minutes remaining in the half, junior striker Isaac Chen curled the ball perfectly towards the top corner of the Cougars’ goal, but the goalkeeper dove for an excellent save, denying the Bears a chance to tie the game. This ended the first half with the Bears down 1-0.
M-A started off the second half determined for a goal. Senior midfielder Tomar Jacobs used his tight dribbling to carve through Newark’s midfield multiple times to provide some offensive pressure. The Bears played quickly once they won the ball, trying to catch Newark off guard with quick attacks.
On a counter-attack, junior defender Finn Doherty used his lightning-quick speed to burn past his defender down the sideline and cross the ball into the Cougars’ box. However, the Cougars fought back well and tried quick counters of their own, attempting to take advantage of the Bears, who were left with few players on defense.
M-A’s defense remained dominant, with senior center-back and Captain Nolan Kanevsky stifling any passes to Newark’s striker and preventing the Cougars from getting chances on goal. In addition, senior defender Ryan Quiros chased down a Newark attacker and made a last-ditch slide tackle in front of the Bears’ goal to prevent the Cougars from furthering their lead.
As the game approached its end, the Bears played with even more urgency, fighting for the ball every moment, and pressing Newark relentlessly to steal possession.
In a final attempt, junior midfielder Louis Koide delivered a promising free-kick that found Jacobs, who took a shot, forcing a save from the Cougars’ keeper. Despite M-A’s efforts, Newark managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead to conclude the game.
”There were definitely enough chances to win the game,” Alastalo said. “I think it’s being able to execute as a team, especially in the final third, is what we were lacking.”
“It’s really just the chemistry and the mentality that the team has right now. Since we’re a relatively new team, with many of the seniors from last year having left, we’re currently in a rebuilding stage. So once we get locked in together, we’re going to be able to be a pretty tough team to beat,” said Quiros.
After Winter break, the Bears will play away against Sacred Heart Cathedral on Monday at 4 p.m.
