Boys' Soccer versus Handley

By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — For the rest of the regular season, the Handley High School boys’ soccer team only has to concern itself with playing home games.

But after the way the Judges played the Colonels Monday night, it’s easy to understand why Handley coach Cosmo Balio is looking forward to returning to Jerry L. Kelican Stadium when the facility plays host to the Northwestern District tournament.

The Judges scored in the third minute and went on to a 6-0 district win on a rainy night at James Wood’s home field.  “We were really looking forward to this game after the three wins we had last week,” said Handley sophomore midfielder Eduardo Santiago, who had two assists. “We just went out there and we took it.”

It was Graham Sharples’ goal off a turnover that he forced in the third minute that allowed the Judges (9-3, 5-0 Northwestern) to play loose and free, and it was the foot of Santiago that made James Wood’s comeback hopes less and less likely every time he approached the ball for a set piece.

Two Santiago corner kicks and one free kick from inside 30 yards resulted in three goals that put the Judges up 4-0 at halftime on the Colonels (2-7-1, 2-2), who came into Monday winners of their past two games.

“[Set pieces are] a big focus for us, and tonight we were clicking,” Balio said. “Eduardo serves one of the best balls in the district, and tonight we were just making runs where we needed to be.”

Deyanov took care of Santiago’s first work of art by applying a colorful finish inside the goalbox, leaving his feet to redirect a cross to the far post with a right-footed shot that ricocheted off the opposite post in the 20th minute.

The precocious Deyanov already has five goals this year, which is probably why he downplayed the score when asked it if was one of his prettiest.

“Not really,” he said, “but that was a really good goal.”

The goal by Deyanov — no slouch himself when taking the first touch on set pieces as evidenced by his 30-yard strike and score against Millbrook — preceded a couple corner kick goals that featured grit and precision.

Cesar Salamanca (two goals) scored on a close-range rebound after Zac Gordon headed toward goal in the 30th minute, and David Gaither deposited the ball in the upper far corner with a header after making a near-post run.

James Wood didn’t fare too badly in the run of play in the opening half, but Colonels coach Chris Hild said his team is a work in progress when it comes to defending set pieces.

“Just getting a little more physical in the box is something we need to do,” Hild said.

What was a surprise to Hild, though, was his team’s intensity level, particularly since the Colonels could have pulled even in the district loss column with Handley and Sherando with a victory.

“The desire wasn’t there,” Hild said. “I even think Handley didn’t come out with desire, but once they got that first goal it was just on for them.”

Sharples tapped it into an open net by deflecting ahead James Wood sweeper Josh Mart’s clear attempt and beating the defense and James Wood goalkeeper Neel Jhaveri to the ball.

Balio said that was an example of Handley’s consistent pressure, which was aided by how well it controlled the midfield. And now, the Judges get to go home to their synthetic surface.

“There’s still a heck of a lot to play, but it’s a good confidence-builder to play on our home field,” said Balio, who also got a goal from David Ko, an assist from Mark Rosario, and four saves from Jonathan Argueta. “We won’t play away from home until we come back here for the district tournament, and the way we played tonight, I’m looking forward to coming back here.”

The Colonels possess plenty of confidence, but Hild said they’ll only go as far as their passion takes them.

“Carlos Carillo, my center mid who isn’t even usually a starter for me, he came out and played fantastic,” Hild said. “I just wish everybody could have fed off of his intensity, because he was just having a brilliant game.

“On a good note, we got to see the team that’s tops in the district right now, and I feel on a good day, we could hang with them.”

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