Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School

Huskies declawed; drop home opener to Long Branch 0-3.

9/20/2017- The Huskies opened their 2017-18 campaign by hosting the Green Wave at Strathmore on Wednesday afternoon. The first half saw the Huskies organized and hunkered down in the back, clearing their lines and trying to spring the counter attack against a faster, stronger opponent. Long Branch grabbed a 1-0 lead just before the interval and continued to dominate possession throughout the second half before adding two more tallies to give them a resounding advantage.  Matawan like always played with heart and passionate for the full sixty minutes, stringing together some opportunities and half chances in the attacking end, by ultimately fell by three goals to zero. 8th graders, Tyler Coco and Esben Nielsen turned in solid performances in the midfield.  Michael Sferrazza made six saves in the losing effort and kept the scoreline from getting more one sided. Maddox Cole smashed home a ball that was directed towards the six yard box to give the Huskies a 1-0 winner in the developmental period. Matawan looks to find their winning ways when they host a loaded Holmdel team today at Strathmore.

Contini's golden header lifts Huskies to thrilling OT victory

9/25/17- The Huskies played the first twenty minutes in quick sand, struggling to string together any posession and at times opening up defensively inviting Holmdel to be dangerous in the attacking third. Holmdel took advantage and jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Matawan was unable to clear their defensive lines and Holmdel was quick to punch one home. Matawan equalized shortly before the interval break when 8th newcomer Chris Mularadelis tucked home a front volley from just inside the eighteen yard box. During the second half, the Huskies began to come into their own. Gaining confidence and momentum with each passing minute, peppering the Holmdel goal mouth with corner kicks and half chances from all areas of the box. Unable to crack the Holmdel stronghold, Matawan got its first taste of 7v7 OT game action.  With fewer players and wide open spaces, the OT period set the stage for a thrilling ending. Deep into the dying embers of the second OT period, Tyler Coco's left footed curling service met the diving head of 8th grade striker John Contini who's effort beat the keeper and gently kissed in off the upright.  Jubilation and team pile up ensued as the Huskies persevered and clawed out a great total team victory. Esben Nielsen turned in a solid, intelligent effort playing in the back and outstanding efforts were turned in by Jacob Cole, Andrew Martins Mahoney and Andrew Fanelli. Michael Sferrazza made five saves to secure his first win of the season. The teams played to a 0-0 stalmate in the developmental period. The Huskies look to remain hot today when they host Thorne.

Huskies click on all cylinders, maul Thorne in 6-2 thrashing

9/26/17 The Huskies continued their winning ways on Tuesday with a resounding 6-2 victory over Thorne.  Evan Arendt got Matawan on the scoreboard when he was able to collect a well fed through ball from Andrew Fanelli and steer it passed the outstretched arms of the diving keeper. The Huskies doubled the advantage minutes later when Maddox Cole beat his defender to the endline and found Aaron Kalish who thumped home his first marker of the season from the six yard box.  Matawan made it 3-0 when Maddox Cole grabbed his second helper of the day by setting up John Contini's second goal of the season. Thorne clawed one back to make it a 3-1 haltime score and quickly cut the deficit to 3-2 when they added their second minutes into the second half. Absorbing these body blows and protecting a razor thin advantage, Matawan steadied their feet and regained their balance behind a pair of second half goals from Tyler Coco and a third from 7th grade newcomer Daniel Rabinovich.  In support of the offensive output, Matawan received quality performances from 8th grade stalwart Corey Gilligan who was dominant in winner balls in the back along with his line mates the maurading: Jacob Cole, Trevor Sumner and Esben Nielsen. Michael Sferrazza collected five saves to secure his second victory of the season.  The Huskies made it a clean sweep by taking the developmental period 1-0, behind a lobbed cross from Maddox Cole that was poked home by 8th grade midfielder Jarrett Norman.  The Huskies look to stay red hot when they travel to Ocean on Friday for their first road test of the season.

Huskies dig first half hole, almost climb out in fierce 2nd half rally

9/29/17 The Huskies spotted Ocean a 3-0 halftime lead, behind an incredible individual effort and a corner kick where the Matawan keeper, Michael Sferrazza may have been interferred with.  Although the scoreboard read 3-0 Ocean, the story on the field was a bit more even. Matawan had dominated possession of the ball and had created attack opportunites by continuing to play wide and into the corner areas. The Huskies regrouped and rallied with a dominant second stanza which in the end fell just short of a dramatic rally. Tyler Coco put the Huskies on the board when he deposited a ball from John Contini into the back of the net.  Andrew Fanelli brought the Huskies a goal closer when he thumped an Esben Nielen pass into the corner of the goal, wrongfooting the keeper.  In the waning moments of the game the Huskies threw everything they had forward, Fanelli again found some space in the eighteen yard box, beat his man and blasted a shot that hit the outside of the crossbar and deflected out of harms way.  The Huskies got strong performances from Andrew Martins Mahoney, Corey Gilligan and Trevor Sumner along the backline. Michael Sferrazza made six saves in the losing effort including several in close break away saves. The Huskies look to bounce back and get off to a quick start today as they prepare for Neptune. 

Huskies dominate Scarlet Fliers, escape with 2-1 come from behind victory

10/2/17- The Huskies welcomed a winless Neptune team to Strathmore and were almost too hospitable in allowing Neptune to hang around and eventually take a late 1-0 advantage.  Matawan dominated ball possession and peppered the Neptune goal with shots, crosses, and half chances throughout the first half. The strike partnership of Tyler Coco and John Contini were able to find space in behind the Neptune back line and create quality scoring chances for the Huskies, however they were unable to find the net. Chance after chance, shanked wide and blasted over the net like a group of aspiring NFL placekickers. Neptune began to gain confidence as they went deeper and deeper into a scoreless affair, finally getting the pivital break through when the Huskies were unable to clear their lines from a Neptune corner and a looping shot found the back of the net. Deflated but not defeated the Huskies looked to each other for that next gear. Backs against the wall, the Huskies trudged onward, running off the ball, playing wide, getting deep into the corners when finally some combination play opened up space along the left flank, John Contini slotted a ball across the face of goal and Evan Arendt was first to it and equalized at 1-1.  Minutes later Andrew Martins Mahoney got the game winner from right wing when he continued his far post run and got on the end of an Esben Nielsen feed, bulging the old onion bag. The Huskies left it for late but got the job done in the dramatic fashion, Matawan looks to continue this momentus run when they finally hit the road and travel to Bayshore.  Christian Wheeler played solid along the backline and Corey Gilligan and Nielsen were defensive anchors in the middle. The Husky pups took the developmental period 1-0 when Henry Jacome headed home a Jarrett Norman cross.  Ryan Liou continues to develop as a stingy defender and Maddox Cole continues to be dangerous both offensively and defensively. Michael Sferrazza had six saves in securing the victory.

Huskies struggle to keep up with Bayshore on fast track turf lose 4-0

10/6/17- The Huskies played the opening fifteen minutes deep in the Bayshore defensive third, finding the spaces and overlapping runs which turned into attacking chances. Although they started fast, the Huskies were unable to sustain this attack mindset on the quick playing field turf.  Bayshore took a 2-0 lead into the halftime interval and then doubled the advantage in the second half to take a convincing 4-0 victory.  Deflated but not defeated, Esben Nielsen continued to be a strong presence in the midfield, Tyler Coco continued to push forward in an attempt to create chances and Evan Arendt was working the wide areas with creative wing play looking for a breakthrough that never came.  The Huskies selvedged a 1-1 draw in the developmental period when Maddox Cole redirected a Corey Gilligan curling service into the net from inside the eighteen yard box.  The Huskies look to bounce back when they host Colts Neck on Thursday.

Huskies dominate Colts Neck; Lose on the scoreboard 2-1

10/12/17- The Huskies played possibly their finest game as a team, but lose a battle to Colts Neck 2-1.  For the better part of the first half the Huskies were buzzing around like a finely tuned sportscar. Checking in and out of space, making runs off the ball, getting into the wide areas, dominating posession and creating chances. Unfortunately they were unable to convert those chances into goals. Out shooting Colts Neck by a 3:1 margin, the Huskies lacked that clinical finishing touch in the offensive third. Many times turning quality goal scoring opportunities into half chances or missing the target all together. Tyler Coco and Esben Nielsen allowed Matawan to control the midfield with possession and on the ball presence, switching the fields and looking to provide service to the wing players. Colts Neck took a tenuous 1-0 lead to halftime, but were in no way the better team.  The second half was more of the same, Matawan dominating possesion but continuing to come away empty handed.  Nielsen almost equalized in the 40th minute when he found himself in acres of space, beat the keeper with a blast that rattled the cross bar and went harmlessly out of bounds for a goalkick. Michael Sferrazza continued to be a strong backstop between the pipes as her turned away a Colts penalty kick to keep the Huskies at a one goal defecit.  Christian Wheeler played an inspired, confident left back, crushing would be attackers with punishing slide tackles and physical play while springing the counter attack with distribution from the backline.  Colts Neck added a second marker on the counter attack to double there advantage before the Huskies finally pulled one back when Coco whipped in a cross to the six yard box where Evan Arendt was first to pounce and stuff it home.  Disappointed to dominate in all areas and come up short on the scoreboard, the Huskies were out for blood in the developmental period where they got a resounding 3-1 victory.  Maddox Cole continued to be a productive player notching two goals one of which came from an absolute rocket shot from about 20 yards out. Henry Jacome got the third as he continues to work his way back into top form after missing time with an injury.  Matawan has no time to pout as they get right back at it today when they travel to Thompson for a clash on the Nutswamp turf.  

Huskies grab early advantage; fall to Thompson 3-1

10/13/17- The Huskies came off the bus flying and grabbed an early 1-0 advantage when some tight intricate passing along the wing put Andrew Martins-Mahoney in space deep in the Thompson defensive corner. He beat a defender and cut a cross back along the six yard box and 8th grade striker Frankie Randazzo was first to react, beating the Thompson defender to the ball and thumping it passed a sprawling keeper.  Matawan was only able to hold the advantage for a short time before an own goal and a Thompson counter attack left them trailing at the half by a 2-1 margin.  The Huskies continued to ask questions of a Thompson backline in the second half by playing in the wide channels with excellent efforts from: Evan Arendt, Henry Jacome, and Tyler Coco. Their efforts failed to bear fruit but kept Matawan pressing and competitive through to the final whistle. Matawan looks to snap its two game losing streak today when they host undefeated Hazlet in a fierce rivalry match. 

Huskies get sent to the pound in 5-1 drubbing to Hazlet

10/16/17- The Huskies were dominated by a physically punishing Hazlet team who scored in the opening minute of the game and did not relent until the final whistle, claiming a resounding 5-1 victory over our Huskies.  Trailing 3-0 at the half, a battered and depleted Matawan squad fought hard and played with immense pride and heart, never quitting and taking nothing for granted. In a game with few highlights, the Huskies perserverence helped them scratch out a single goal late in the second half.  Anthony Martins Mahoney won a 50-50 ball, juked a defender and slid a diagonal through ball passed the goalie where a determined Jason Veres was there to slide onto it and thrash into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.  The Huskies look to change the narrative today and snap a four game losing streak when they travel to Ocean for a rematch with the Spartans.  Ocean outlasted Matawan in a thrilling 3-2 contest earlier this year.

Huskies overcome halftime deficit, clip Ocean in 2-1 thriller

10/18/17-The Huskies entered their clash with Ocean looking to stop the bleeding from a four game losing streak which has seen them outscored 14-3 over that same period.  Matawan was primed and ready to go from the opening whistle, dominated early possession and had the lions share of the attacking opportunities but found themselves in a familiar position trailing 1-0 at the half. Tyler Coco wasted no time in equalizing early in the second half when he took a Chris Mularadelis pass down the left flank, beating two defenders with pace and slotted a precise shot passed the outstretched Ocean keeper.  Chances came frequently at both ends of the field as both teams struggled for possession, hoping to find that one momentum of brilliance that would lift their team to victory. Andrew Martins Mahoney found that momentum when he received a Jacob Cole pass that split two defenders and put him into a sliver of space, where he was able to thump a left footed strike into the corner of the goal for the eventual game winner.  Hunkered down deep in their defense third, Matawan was able to thwart some last ditch attacking efforts to secure the one goal victory. Micheal Sferrazza made six saves to secure the win.  The Huskies played an inspired developmental period, creating multiple chances with strike tandem of Maddox Cole, Henry Jacome and Andrew Fanelli.  Fanelli grabbed the lone goal of the developmental period when he found some space in the eighteen yard box and blasted a shot that took a partial deflection off the keeper and found the back of the net.  Matawan looks to stay hot when they travel to Holmdel on Friday with eyes on sweeping the season series with the Hornets. 

Huskies cling to 1-0 victory; Contini's goal takes sting out of Hornets

10/20/17- The Huskies held on for their fifth victory of the season, improving their record to 5-6 behind John Contini's lone marker.  Contini for the second time this season was the difference between the two teams, he put the Huskies up for good early in the first half when he was first to react to a corner kick whipped into the box and was first to react, stabbing it into the net in the ensuing melee. From their the Huskies used sound team defense, disciplined defending, and a dedication to shape and organization to hold off a hungry Holmdel team who felt as if they deserved a win for their efforts.  Tyler Coco, Jacob Cole, Esben Nielsen and Corey Gilligan were sturdy and sound up the middle of the field, making any direct path towards the Husky goal a difficult task.  Michael Sferrazza made six saves to secure his first career shutout.  The Huskies also took the developmental period by the same 1-0 score.  Jalen Galloway won a 50-50 ball that he ran through and then beat the defender to with speed and pace, cutting a diagonal ball back across the box to set up Anthony Ruggerio for an easy tap in. Galloway's athletic effort and unselfish play were a microcasm of the entire period in which the Huskies were buzzing around playing inspired "total futbol".  Mateusz Reczek made three saves to collect the developmental stutout.  The Huskies close their season today when they travel to Thorne looking for the season sweep and hoping to get to a 6-6 record.

Huskies stumble at Thorne, drop season finale 3-1

10/23/17- The Huskies had their sights set on a season sweep of Thorne and a sixth victory overall heading into the finale Monday afternoon. Matawan stumbled out of the blocks conceding twice in the first half, first from a corner kick and then from the penalty spot giving them a two goal defecit at the half.  8th grade All Star John Contini pulled a goal back to the good when he whipped in a side volley from the top of the box that beat the keeper high and found the back of the net just under the crossbar. Matawan continued to increase the pressure as they pinned the Thorne defense into their own defensive third, spraying balls around the goalmouth to no eval. Chris Mularadelis appeared to have the equalizer late when he thumped in a cross from the wing, however it was disallowed due to offsides.  A late Thorne goal sealed the deal for their and relegated the Huskies to a losing overall record.  Matawan took the developmental period 1-0, when the partnership of Anthony Ruggerio and Henry Jacome created a glorious goal scoring opportunity that Jacome rang off the upright and then was pounced on and deposited into the back of the next by versatile 8th grade midfielder Jason Veres. The Huskies send three representatives to the All Star game: John Contini, Jacob Cole and Tyler Coco.