Judges Boys’ Soccer Finds Scoring Touch In 4-0 Win Over Colonels

Posted: May 14, 2013
By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI

WINCHESTER — As Handley junior midfielder Jay Fox walked toward midfield for a post-game interview, Judges coach Cosmo Balio remarked, “Don’t let the quote be, ‘My head hurt when I headed the ball,’” a reference to Fox’s header goal in the first half.

Given how frustrated the Handley boys’ soccer team was with its inability to score in its first game with James Wood, the Judges might have volunteered before the game to ram their heads into the goalposts if it meant that would guarantee they’d find the back of the net Monday night at Kelican Stadium,

Fortunately for the Judges, they didn’t have to wait long to see the results of their effort on the scoreboard.

After scoring in the 21st and the 23rd minutes of the first half, Handley went on to a 4-0 Northwestern victory over James Wood to clinch third place in the district and avoid Thursday’s district tournament play-in game against Skyline.

The Judges (6-7-1, 4-3-1 Northwestern) lost 1-0 despite holding a 21-4 shot advantage against the Colonels (6-9-1, 3-5) on April 26.

But Handley — which had a 16-4 shot advantage Monday — were much more opportunistic in the rematch, this despite not having star midfielder Ismael Trejo for the second straight game because of a lingering illness

“After the first game, we walked away scratching our head,” Balio said. “We threw everything but the kitchen sink at ’em.

“We talked about getting deadly into the attacking third, which we’ve struggled with this season. I think tonight they recognized what they needed to do once they get into the attacking third. We had some pretty goals tonight.”

After being shut out for more than 100 minutes by James Wood, Handley finally broke through in the 21st minute on a Coyne corner kick that Fox headed in just a few yards from goal.

Though Coyne (two assists) felt that the chances would be there Monday for the Judges if they just played their game, the goal definitely allowed a Handley team that had been shut out in its most recent game by Sherando (2-0 on Thursday) to breathe a sigh of relief.

“[That was big], because we just couldn’t score last game [against Wood],” Fox said.

A little more than two minutes later, the Judges found the back of the net again when Coyne’s free-kick cross from the right of the 18 skipped past James Wood goalkeeper Cameron Frye (six saves) and onto the foot of Omar Trejo, who knocked the bouncing ball in for a 2-0 lead.

For a Judges team that isn’t exactly known for its size, two goals off set pieces was a welcome change.

“To get those two early was really good, and we felt more confident for the rest of the game,” Coyne said.

The Colonels had some quality opportunities to get back into it.

But goalkeeper Michael Davis made a huge save on a Tommy Houser corner-kick header in the 35th minute, Ryland Williams blasted a shot high after taking a long ball from the back in the 50th minute, and Michael Carter ripped another high shot in the 52nd before Handley’s Bryan Gomez (one goal, one assist) fed Bishop Ransom a through ball that he tucked away for a 3-0 lead in the 61st minute.

James Wood coach Matt Dunsmore said he felt Monday’s loss really came down to Handley doing a better job with its opportunities.

“They took four opportunities and they buried them, and that’s what won them the game,” said Dunsmore, whose team will take on Skyline at 6 p.m. Thursday in the play-in game at Kelican. “We’re a good finishing team. We just couldn’t do it today. In the second half, we had [several] breakaways. We just didn’t have the finishing touch.”

James Wood did not have junior forward Jon Henriques (team-high nine goals) Monday. Dunsmore declined to comment as to why Henriques did not play Monday, and did not comment on when Henriques will be back.

Still, a Handley defense led by Davis and sweeper Phil Stewart did well to limit and deny the Colonels attack, and the Judges hope they can keep the momentum going in the district semis against No. 2 Millbrook Saturday.

“Now, it’s focus on one game, and [that game could] put you in regionals,” Balio said. “We split with Millbrook, and we’re excited about the opportunity.”

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on Twitter @WinStarSports1