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In the End, Americans Overcome Hawks with Hokayma to Zuniga
Golden Goal! (Welcome back to the second division). November
16, 2003 Hamden,
CT (November 16) – Alvaro Zuniga scored the game-winning goal in the
first half of sudden death overtime to lift the New Haven Americans to a
2-1 victory against Western Division runner-up Hamden Hawks. In
a game that started as if the Americans were not up to the task…
Hamden played quick smart one-two’s that rocked the Americans on their
heals. This quick counter attacking style almost saw Hamden take a first
half lead as they ran rampant. If not for the effort of the outside
midfielders, Hamden surely would have scored. Escaping
the half level, New Haven had a heart-to-heart about its season, tactics
and effort. What ever was said during the break did the trick. A
composed and rejuvenated Americans team started the second half. Even
when Hamden scored the games first goal, New Haven seemed confident that
they would equalize. With twenty minutes left, Mark Azzolina delivered a
perfectly measured cross from the left side of midfield, to an open Gil
Hokayma who calmly headed past a bewildered Hamden keeper. With
the momentum swing New Haven pushed hard for the winner but was denied
by the woodwork three times. First, a Hokayma corner struck the top
crossbar only for the rebound to be headed off the top again by the
converging Peter Marshall and Paul Camara. The second injustice saw a
brilliant solo run by Alvaro Zuniga denied by the outside left post
after he beat two defenders and the keeper. Lastly, in perhaps the most
beautiful effort not to find the back of the net, our captain, Peter
Marshall, looked to seal the game in overtime with a brilliantly struck
bending and dipping shot from the left corner of the penalty box. The
result was a thunderous ping as the ball came screaming off the right
side post. Still 1-1 and still no winner as time wound down. Closure
came on the counter as Hokayma played an early ball to a cutting Zuniga.
With one deft touch and turn, he blasted a shot past the Hamden keeper
to send New Haven back to the second division. Well
done and well earned! In a game that meant everything to everybody. In a game that had players on the field giving everything they had. In a game that went the distance and then some. One thing was constant. The support from the sidelines. The bench with there constant enthusiasm and support were the deciding factor in a difficult game. So this games player of the week are the men who did was was needed for the team to achieve their ultimate goal. Wayne Thomas, James Taylor, Todd Hill, Les Melich, Luigi Cappetta, Darin Meder and Steve Wormsley ________________________________________________________________________
New Haven 36 Points and Second Place! Wallingford,
CT November 9, 2003 – In a scrappy affair, the Tempers were on a razors edge as the two teams
battled and earned a total of 6 yellow cards. With the season riding in
the balance, the In a halftime move that sealed the game. Paul
Camara and See you next week in Hamden as the Players of the Game: Paul Camara and John Riga. Special note to the excellent work of the defense. You earned it ________________________________________________________________________ Mansfield at
New Haven Domination! New Haven, CT. November 8, 2003 – In the penultimate game New Haven erupted for seven goals as they coasted to an efficient win over Mansfield. The display could only be described as loose. With the season riding on the outcome of this game, New Haven simple put forth a master lesson in killing a team off early and keeping players fresh. The goal fest was started off of a great one-on-one effort by Gil Hokayma. He deftly controlled the ball with his left and then spun his defender to the right and then back to the left where he unleashed a powerful left foot drive that caught the Mansfield keeper flat footed and outclassed. Strikes by Tony Ifill and a blitz of second half goals by Alvaro Zuniga sealed the game as New Haven now has to win away at Playwright to reach the playoffs. Player of the game: Bristol
Italians at New Haven No Question about H-E-A-R-T! New
Haven, CT. November 2, 2003 - New Haven succeeded where all
others save Madison failed. In a do or die game against the
division's most lethal team, the American's showed true grit, true
poise and the heart of a champion. And it was that heart that ruled
the day. With a strong but not overpowering lineup, New Haven
showed that they would battle to the last. Lead by its senior
member, Other than Hokayma's brilliant early goal, the tone
for this game was set when New Haven keeper Quinn came off his line to
stone a Bristol player after he skipped around a defenders challenge and
went to goal. Many American players agreed that Quinn's save
deflated Bristol and added to the resolve of New Haven . Additional
strong play by the New Haven 's defensive unit of John Riga, Paul Camara,
New Haven now looks to secure two wins in two days. I know the task won't be easy but I'm sure the supporters will cheer to the last. Player of the Game: New Haven Frustration! North Haven , CT. October 26, 2003 - Mike Armellino called it a frustrating day. We did such positive things and for this to happen it couldn't have been much worse. What he was referring to was the 2-2 tie with North Haven that virtually saw the game tied in the very last seconds. To see the true structure of the game we have to turn the clock back. It was a tale of two haves. In the first New Haven settled into the game and with a massive effort in the midfield was able to produce two quality scores. Though controlling the first half of the second half, North Haven simply went for broke and were rewarded with two scores in the final ten minutes as their smash and grab tactic saw them draw level. With the tie North Haven are still in contention for second as New Haven and Madison also vie for the chance at promotion. The tie left New Haven at 8-3-2 with 27 points from 13 games. North Haven is at 8-3-3 with 27 points from 14 games. Madison is 10-2-3 with 32 points from15 games. New Haven has one game in hand against North Haven and two against Madison. New Haven now has no room for error. Madison at
New Haven Classic! New Haven
, CT. October 23, 2003 – The New Haven In the end it came down to a penalty call with lass
than two minutes left that drew the The tie was not the best nor the worse thing that
could happen. I for one know that the New Haven Just Enough Class Wallingford, CT. September 14, 2003 - Thank God this game was played against a team that has struggled all season. Starting brilliantly, New Haven played flawless ball as it passed, chipped and played neat one - twos in a dominant show of attractive and effective attacking style soccer. The reward was a goal little over five minutes into the game. Unfortunately that's where the praise stops. Perhaps it was the conditions, the small field or over confidence... All in all it was not the best showing as New Haven grinded out a 2 - 0 victory over an overmatched Morelia team. To the boy's...'There is a long way to go. It's three points and that was the goal, we win'. Now let's refocus or efforts to Bloomfield and put forth an effort that shows our true ability for the full 90! Wallingford
Playwright at New Haven Return of the Coach New Haven, CT. September 7, 2003 - The return of coach Mike Armellino was just what the doctor ordered. Two weeks after dropping a 4-1 decision to the front running Bristol Italians, New Haven worked hard and broke open and evenly contested game against Playwright. Strikes by Les, Louis Telesford and Tony Ifill negated the visitor's early lead. New Haven looks to keep its momentum going against Wallingford Morelia on Sunday, September 14th. Player of the Game: Greg Robinson.
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