Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Travel Roundup (Sept. 8-9)

Editor's Note: The following Travel/Competitive Division game summaries were submitted by the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association.

GIRLS

Lawrence U-9 Leopards

The girls U-9 Lawrence Leopards had a strong showing to start the fall season with a decisive 5-1 win over the Moorestown SC Wave. 

Mackenzie Esposito led the pack with two goals while teammates Briana Audet, Emily Franceschini and Olivia Drake each scored a goal.  The team played solid defense and goalie Eliza Moulder had several saves. 

The Leopards rounded out their weekend by being the ball girls in Princeton women’s soccer victory over Temple on Sunday.

BOYS

Lawrence U-9 Strikers

The Lawrence U-9 Strikers were undefeated in their season debut at the South Brunswick soccer tournament this past weekend. 

Only allowing two goals in four games, the Strikers goalkeeping duties were shared by keepers Aidan McChesney, Will Schuler, Davin Jodoin, Sam Bowes, Dylan Adamsky, and Zach Berardi.

Exceptional passing by Harrison Bohra and Ian Stuckey allowed the Strikers to maintain possession as Dylan Adamsky, Matt Sargent and Andrew Lynch recorded assists in the games.  Sargent and teammate Sam Bowes each scored their first goals as a Striker while Theo Sardain and Luke Longo each tallied three goals.

The versatility of the Strikers allow many players to tally goals and assists: Berardi – four goals, one assist; Ryan Milano – three goals, three assists; Aidan McChesney – two goals, three assists,  and Jodoin – two goals, one assist.

Lawrence U-11 Blazers

The Lawrence-Hamnett U-11 Blazers started their fall 2012 campaign with a very strong showing in the South Brunswick Kickoff Invitational Soccer Tournament this past weekend winning 3 of 4 games.

The Blazers defeated the Robbinsville Raptors, West Windsor-Plainsboro Blazers, Montgomery Jaguars, while dropping one game against a strong Franklin Hurricanes side.

The Blazers scored a total of 10 goals with Vinnie Giangrasso, Jason Lobben, Teddy Gutman, Thomas Manocchio, Abyhan Jaikishen and Luke Okupski all finding the back of the net. Luke Bidle's playmaking ability resulted in a couple assists and Connor Monaghan also added an assist on a beautifully placed cross.

The Blazers with midfielders Jude Bidle and Eduardo Estrada ably distributing the ball and generally controlled possession. Ryan Sargent, Robbie Lynch and Alex Hatfield anchored a strong backline consistently thwarting the opponent's attacks.  Hatfield, Lobben and Okupski split time at the goalkeeper position and each made several key saves.

Lawrence U-12 Pythons

Lawrence Pythons U-12 Boys team placed 2nd in the South Brunswick Tournament.  

They beat Montgomery Panthers 4-2 as Eli Kooistra scored two goals, and Wesley Leggett and Resse Pagliante scored as well.  Matthew McChesney had two assists, while Jeffrey Tamasi has a strong game on defense. 

They shutout Winslow Bulldogs 4-0, as Leggett and Pagliante scored twice on assists from Jack O’Reilly and Alex McLaughlin.  Steven Kenah and Sam Koevenig played tough defense.  

The Pythons edged Princeton SA Porto 2-1, as Pagliante and Gavin Bedell scored on assists from Leggett and O’Reilly.  Louis Sardain and Neil Chopra created scoring chances in the match.  

They lost the championship of the flight to West Windsor Titans 2-1, as Leggett scored on an assist from Jack Schloesser, and Tommy Sarsfield and Sal Rego had strong games.  Sarsfield and Lego split the goaltending duties for the tournament making several key saves.

Lawrence U-13 Charge

Although the Charge came out of the South Brunswick tournament with two wins and two losses, the team was able to incorporate new strategies and debut Sean McLaughlin as a keeper as he, along with Logan Hillegas recorded a shutout against Old Bridge. 

Newcomer Eric Broadway recorded his first goal on a long driving shot from the far right touchline that arched over the keeper into the upper corner of the net.  Luke Annand set up speedy Adam LeCompte as he beat the Old Bridge keeper twice and Kyle Schuler scored as he waited patiently while a throw-in bounced from header to header and finally dropped near him so he could place it in the low left corner. 

Ethan Crutchley scored the lone goal in a win over the West Windsor Vikings which secured the shutout for Schuler.  Determined to increase their shots on goal, forwards Ryan Monaghan, Hakim Hachicha and Estuardo DeLeon kept pounding the ball on the keepers. 

Defensive strength of Patrick Franceschini, Hutch Collins, Joseph Giuliano, and Christian Fang helped midfielders Aidan Jodoin, Kiernan Humphreys and Dylan Pawar keep the pressure on in the offensive end.