September 4, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

GFS off to impressive 3-0 start
by Justin Goldman

GFS’ Ibrahim Kamara heads the ball toward the goal with Jack Koehler running up-field. For more photos visit www.chlocalphotos.com. (Photo by Pack Jr.)

The GFS soccer team opened the 2008 season with an impressive 4-2 victory over Central last Tuesday afternoon. Coming into the season, the biggest question mark for the   Tigers was their backline. And though there were some defensive lapses, GFS found ways to get the critical stops when needed.

 The Tigers opened up the scoring early: Five minutes into the game, junior Jason Symonette carried the ball down the left side of the field and sent a nice cross to fellow junior Manolo Sanchez, who one-timed the ball past the Central goalkeeper.  It seemed like the Tigers were in complete control of the game early on as they dominated possession time.

 Two thirds of the way through the first half, the Tigers got a bit of luck after senior goalkeeper Zach Fernberger launched a free kick from the box. The kick went to the other 18-yard line, and a Lancer defender jumped and headed the ball backwards into the net for an own goal. The Tigers cruised through the rest of the first half with a 2-0 lead.

 Despite being down and thoroughly outplayed, Central fought back and made some key defensive adjustments. First, they put two men on both Sanchez and Symonette, completely limiting their touches. They then continued to pressure the inexperienced Tiger backline, the tactic paid divdends. In a mirror image of the first half, a Lancer player raced by the Tiger defense on the left wing and easily put the ball past the GFS keeper. Eight minutes later, a Tiger defender misplayed an easy ball, and a Central player was there to rocket it into the back of the net from 22 yards out.

 All of a sudden, the lopsided game turned into a serious contest.

 “We did have some defensive mistakes, but that is going to happen when you have a new backline,” said GFS head coach Matt Zipin. “We just have to find a way to limit the number of mistakes that we have. That second goal we gave up was really bad. That just can’t happen.”

 Even though it was just the first game of the season, the Tigers showed some resolve. Right after Central tied the game, GFS took the lead right back after Symonette had a goal of his own. Symonette found control of the ball right at the 6-yard box and put it past the Central goalie.

 After dominating the first half, GFS found itself a little bit on its heels in the second. Central continued to pressure the Tigers, generating more scoring opportunities. Luckily, the Tiger defense stiffened when it needed to and did not have any more breakdowns.

GFS put the game out of reach with two minutes left in the second half when Abdus-Salaam Muwwakkil dribbled down the left side of the field and sent a centering pass to Sanchez, who initially lost the ball, but recovered it and put it into the back right corner of the net.

  “All of these games early on are going to really help us,” Zipin said. “Especially since we have some new guys this year, and we haven’t played together all that much. I told them that there is nothing that can replace game experience. We have practiced a lot, but there is nothing you can do to simulate an actual game.”

 GFS returned to the field on Friday and Saturday with games against Penn Wood and Upper Moreland. Against the Patriots, the Tigers churned out a 5-3 victory. Against the Bears, GFS had a more impressive showing, downing them 4-1. The defense played much better and gave the offense more of the support that it needed. The wins over much bigger schools will serve as a nice foundation as the team faces tougher challengers in the weeks ahead.