“It’s been a big week with wins against Lenape and Bishop Eusctace” said Coach Karl Mohelman prior to Friday afternoon’s home game versus Eastern. To say it had been a big week would be an understatement.
On Monday, the Cougars recorded a road victory against a South Jersey top 10 team in Lenape, winning 1-0 behind a Tyler Berlinsky (’12) goal. Later in the week they won a 2-1 double overtime thriller at Bishop Eustace Wednesday capped by a Zach Steinbock (’13) goal. Two days later they looked to put the icing on the cake as Eastern paid a visit.
Goaltender Steve Oberlander (’13) was out for Friday afternoon’s game with a fractured finger, which meant T.J. Bourne (’14) got the nod in net. Early on it seemed as if the Cougars were controlling the tempo, which eventually resulted in an early goal by Ethan Messinger (’13).
The Cougars continued their strong first half maintaining possession and generating most of the scoring chances. Garrett Mcveigh (’13) would hit the post with a shot later in the half. However, Messinger had the lone goal and it remained that way as the Cougars took a 1-0 lead into the half.
Coming out of the half Eastern seemed to turn the tide and had clearly raised their level of play. Nevertheless the Cougars held their lead for the first 15 minutes of the half. However, it was a three-minute span later in the half that proved to be the difference.
Eastern tied the game in the 61st minute, took the lead in the 62nd minute, and added to that lead in the 64thminute. Before you could blink the Cougars trailed 3-1 and though they didn’t quit, it wasn’t to be on this day. A tough loss after a couple of strong wins drops the Cougars to 3-3 on the young season. Another road game with Washington Township is up next on Monday.