By Dean Geddes
I&M Staff Writer
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Photo by Jim Powers
Coyle Cassidy's goalkeeper makes a tough save against Whaler Toby Glidden in Nantucket's 4-0 win Saturday. |
The boys varsity soccer team is off to a slow start this season, losing two of its first three games to much larger schools.
But the tough competition – a 7-2 defeat to Div. I Falmouth Tuesday and a 3-1 loss to Div. II Martha’s Vineyard last Wednesday – as well as a 4-0 victory over Div. II Coyle Cassidy Saturday, should have the team in top form when it begins Lighthouse Conference play with an away game against Provincetown today.
Tested early
On Tuesday, against Falmouth, which will most likely be the toughest game the Whalers play this season, the team faced a relentless Clipper attack from the opening kick.
It was only stellar goaltending by Russell Bartlett and a miraculous save by defender Henry Farrell that kept the Clippers off the board early.
With Bartlett out of the net, a Falmouth forward took a shot on the empty net, but Farrell leaped up and deflected the shot with his right leg, sending what would have been a sure goal over the net.
“Russell (Bartlett) and the defense were tested the whole game. They never had a break,” head coach Rich Brannigan said.
Falmouth continued to pressure and eventually scored back-to-back goals in under two minutes to take a quick 2-0 lead in the 17th minute. The Clippers added two more goals in the half, as they continued to stymie the Whalers’ offense.
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Photo by Jim Powers
Nantucket's Philipe Bazili scores late in the game Saturday in the Whaler's 4-0 victory over Coyle Cassidy. |
Falmouth opened the second half with another pair of goals, the latter coming off a penalty kick, giving the Clippers a 6-0 lead.
Then the Whalers offense finally began to click. Caio Correa sent a corner kick to Toby Glidden waiting by the far post, and he booted in Nantucket’s first goal of the game. Later in the half, Correa scored on a great individual effort, beating three Clipper defenders and sending a low shot past goalie Brett Young.
Falmouth scored again late in the game, and left with the easy 7-2 victory.
“When we had attacks, they were really strong, and we were able to get a couple goals,” Brannigan said. “But we have to work on our midfield play and our defensive marking on set plays like free kicks and corner kicks.”
Convincing victory
In the home opener on Saturday against Coyle Cassidy Nantucket notched its first win of the season in convincing fashion.
Correa and Philipe Bazilio put on an offensive show, combining for all four of Nantucket’s goals in the 4-0 victory.
The Whalers got off to quick start, as less than five minutes into the game Correa scored off an assist from Bazilio.
“In the pregame, I talked to the team about how important it was to get an early goal. I wanted our guys to gain a little confidence and build off that momentum,” Brannigan said.
The rest of the first half was scoreless as Nantucket took a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second half started just like the first, with Correa and Bazilio combining for another early goal. This time it was Correa with the assist, passing to Bazilio inside the box who settled the ball with a great first touch and fired in the Whalers’ second goal of the game.
The game was a physical match-up, but Nantucket was able to keep Coyle Cassidy from generating much offense and Bartlett was able to save every shot that came his way.
“Russell was really instrumental in that first half, keeping us ahead by a goal,” Brannigan said.
Midway through the second half, Correa dribbled into the box on the left side, turned and fired a low, tough-angle shot that was perfectly placed, hitting the far post and bouncing in to give Nantucket a 3-0 lead.
The Whalers continued controlling the middle of the field with the help of midfielders Caleb Mitchell, Toby Glidden and Yuve Montenegro.
Late in the game, Correa blasted a low shot that deflected off Coyle Cassidy’s goalie and up into the air, and Bazilio went up and headed it over the keeper’s outstretched arms for Nantucket’s fourth goal of the contest.
Correa was able to generate more offense in the second half after Brannigan moved him from striker to midfield, not allowing Coyle Cassidy to keep a man on him.
“Most teams won’t man-mark a midfielder because it offsets the balance of their defense,” Brannigan said.
“It’s definitely a good option for us because most teams know of Caio and mark him with one or two guys.”
Opening loss
In the first game of the regular season, Nantucket lost to Martha’s Vineyard by a final score of 3-1.
The Whalers were down 2-0 after the first half, but managed to play the Vineyard evenly in the second half.
Brannigan moved Montenegro from striker to left midfield in the second and it seemed to open up play for Nantucket. As a result, late in the second half, Correa scored on a breakaway, his fourth breakaway chance of the game.
“We weren’t exactly ready to play, and came out slow to start the game. On the bright side, Caio (Correa) was still able to break free for four breakaway attempts. Any other day those probably would have been goals,” Brannigan said.
Reach Dean Geddes at sports@inkym.com
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