The Observer Newspapers | Team's Winning Streak Continues

April 10, 2008

Team's Winning Streak Continues

The Herndon High School boys soccer team continued their winning streak last week with victories over Falls Church (4-0) and Fairfax (3-2).

In the Falls Church game on April 2, Yazen Sleem blasted his second goal of the season from 25 yards out over the Falls Church goalkeeper while Sean Murnane slotted three goals for his first hat trick of the season to cruise to an easy victory. Christian McLaughlin assisted on two of Murnane's goals, and the back line of Luke Merrill, Sol Mourtaza and Alex Darwiche blanked the Falls Church attack as Herndon enjoyed a 27-3 shot advantage on goal. Uwem Etuk provided many highlight quality moves on the flanks, feeding the strikers all night with great balls but many of the opportunities went high or just wide of the net. Anatole Doak was a beast in his position, shutting down everything that came at him and providing several excellent outside shooting opportunities.

Herndon faced Fairfax in the driving rain with temperatures less than 40 degrees on April 3. The Hornets out-shot their opponent 17-2 in the first half, but could only manage two goals. This left the door wide open for Fairfax to regroup at half time and figure out a new game plan to try to stop the Hornets. Goals were nodded by Murnane and Joe Godbout, both of which were assisted by McLaughlin. Herndon controlled every aspect of the first half, moving the ball precisely through the midfield, getting dangerous crosses and great feeds in the box, but missing several open shots wide or high of the net.

The second half was a different story. Possession was held more evenly by both sides and Fairfax moved their tall, speedy midfielder to the striker roll. They dumped long balls in the pouring rain, bypassing the midfield, with hopes that their striker could run onto it and catch Herndon pushed too far forward with numbers and counter to goal. Their plan worked in the 65-minute period as their striker was able to dribble in the box and earn a PK. Not more than five minutes later, a Fairfax midfielder was allowed to dribble 60 yards right to Herndon's goal untouched and calmly bent a ball around Alex Stopa for the equalizer. For the first time this season, Herndon was faced with the challenge of picking up their game and earning the victory. Herndon had several near misses before Murnane found the net again to get the game winner with three minutes to play. The final result brought Herndon to 5-0 this season.