Boys Soccer Opens Season with a 1-0 Loss

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On Wednesday September 4, the fall 2024 season opened, and the John Jay boys soccer team was first on the schedule. At home, East Ramapo was in, and after a short honeymoon period, the long trip over the bridge paid off for the visiting team.

Guelson Ulysse scored from the left side at 36:29, and the score stood for a 1-0 John Jay loss.

The first signs of discord came just before, though. Brandon Espinosa’s penalty kick from the left got in deep, and the tall head of Ricky Rossignol put the ball on the goal. On alert, Marc Fein dove to the right and got the save at 37:50.

Unfortunately, the John Jay goalie was on the turf moments later. The ball coming to Fein from his defense, the goaltender opted to play the ball instead of picking up against the harrying East Ramapo defense. He cleared to his right, Bryan Chimborazo picked off the ball, centered to Ulysse, and East Ramapo was on the board first.

Still, John Jay kept their heads in the game. Sagi O’Hana got his chrome on a long pass ahead for a shot on goal, and Alex Bond’s refusal to give up the ball past midfield resulted in a penalty kick at the 35 yard line. A mess was then made in front of the net, but the Ramapo defense denied the incursion at 31:55 of the first half.

Back the other way, the East took their turn at it. Brandon Guerra received a pass from all the way across the field, his long kick was just over Rossignol’s head, but the ball still had to be kicked aside by Fein 13 minutes into the game.

Four minutes later, East Ramapo managed to get another past Fein, and a 2-0 lead seemed just a matter of a little roll. Brandon Morales teed off an open shot from the 20 yard line, and Fein went for the kick save. It scooted between his legs instead, but the goalie was able to recover the loose ball with 23 minutes left in the half.

John Jay was next with the near miss. Into the center of the John Jay end, Charlie Buri worked hard to keep East Ramapo from setting up, and Bond kicked the ball deep. That left Ohana in position to control the ball, and he came out front with only the goalie to beat. Teeing off, his chip shot flew over the goal with 16 minutes left in the half.

East Ramapo played that close call game again on the possession change. Erick Aguilar got the ball on the far sideline and angled a near perfect shot. The ball got past Fein and rolled just wide of the post with 15:15 left in the half.

Back around again, John Jay had another sniff with O’Hana. He got the ball on the near sideline, worked into space and hit Logan Denyer for a possible shot on goal. But the senior opted to pass and the defense stepped in for the break up

In response, Fein went up when he was put on the docket at 3:45. Jonathan Orellana launched from the 25, the Wolf goalie skied high with both bands, and the projectile screamed over the crossbar.

Onto the second half of the game, it was East Ramapo with most of the opportunities, and John Jay had to settle for the one goal loss .

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