Winchester Boys JV Soccer Collects Two More Wins

The boys JV soccer team faced Watertown and Reading last week, winning both games in dominant fashion.

The final tally against Watertown was 2-0, but the score belied Winchester’s overpowering play. Our boys did not get the ball to the back of the net until the latter half of the game, although Nathan Landau had a great shot that went just wide 30 minutes into the first half.

The second half, however, told a different story. At about the 60-minute mark, Charlie Cacciola carried the ball at speed down the left side of the field and then sent the ball across to Colin Jenke, who finished with a powerful strike. The second goal was sent in by Charlie Cacciola himself, with Owen Lynch credited with the assist. At the other end of the park, the Winchester goalkeepers had another restful day, with nary a shot to defend.

Winchester faced a more powerful foe in Reading. The scoring opened 20 minutes into the first half with a long-distance strike from Winchester’s Josh DiNardo. The ball hit the post, bounced out, and in the ensuing melee, was booted back in. The score remained 1-0 for the remainder of the half.

Winchester’s clean sheet for the season was broken in the second half, with Reading scoring on a rare defensive breakdown. After passing through and around the Winchester defense, the ball was lofted into the goal, beyond the reach of freshman goalkeeper Cooper Harris.

Less, than 10 minutes later, however, Winchester scored on a penalty kick. A Winchester player was brought down in the box and the ref, instead of playing the advantage, whistled for the foul – even though Owen Lynch was able to finish the ball. No matter, however, as Colin Jenke placed a hard-struck ball into the upper right-hand of the net.

The final score, from Winchester, came from another penalty. Cooper Harris, now at the striker position, was brought down by Reading’s own goalkeeper. This time, Colin Hickey stepped up for the PK, and the ball once again rattled the net. The final score: Winchester, 3 and Reading, 1.

It must be said that this JV team really knows how to play – and they appear to have a bench deeper than Barcelona’s. Few teams can send in an entire new side to spell the starting players, without losing any of the quality of play. The boys communicate well, know how to move the ball into open space, switch fields at will, and display a skillful short passing game.

To name a few contributors: Will Hibbard, Ed Tu, Clay Soper and Daniel O’Connell.