Posted Friday, October 23, 2009 by J.B. Cozens

Girls soccer: John Jay rebounds from loss

Written by J.B. Cozens
Thursday, 22 October 2009 10:04

With two losses, a tie and no goals in its three previous games, the John Jay girls soccer team entered Monday’s game at Fox Lane in something of an unfamiliar position.

“We had our backs to the wall for the first time this season,” said coach Paul Smith, whose team had missed out on a chance to clinch at least a share of the league title last Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to Somers.

With John Jay and Somers tied for the league lead, a loss to the Foxes could have spoiled the Indians’ hopes.

So after John Jay scored a pair of second-half goals to win the game, 2-0, the Indians had a lot to celebrate.

“We really responded nicely to a challenge. I think it was one of our better-played games. For 80 minutes, there wasn’t a lot of letdown on our part,” said Smith, whose team raised its record to 8-4-1.

The loss to Somers, in some ways, may have been a blessing as the team heads toward the section playoffs, which begin Oct. 30, said Smith.

“We don’t want to go into the section playoffs easing into it,” he said. “Playing with your back to the wall, that’s how you play in sectionals.”

The Indians controlled most of the first half but had to settle for a scoreless halftime tie. But they finally broke through 15 minutes into the second half when Nicole Silenok drew some defenders and crossed the ball to the far post, where Katie DeLuca ran in and knocked the ball in from close range.

Silenok made it 2-0 in the final minute when she blasted a rocket from 30 yards out that sailed over the Fox Lane keeper and hit the underside of the crossbar.

The Indians finished the day with a 15-6 edge in shots on goal. Goalie Kelly Sposato (six saves) and key defenders Lauren Hafkemeyer, Emily Johnston, Natasha Cucullo and Noel Popoli produced John Jay’s eighth shutout in 13 games.

Smith praised the continued tough play of center midfielder Callie Detrick, which had allowed Zoe Boyd to play a more offensive-minded center midfield role.