Sunday,
October 19, 2014
By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer
WAYNE – After losing in emphatic fashion to Wayne Hills in last year's Passaic County final, getting back to the county final and getting another shot at Wayne Hills was the carrot dangled in front of the Mustangs throughout both the off-season and once the season began this year. With just one more step to go before that potential rematch, Clifton could not afford a slip-up against a dangerous Lakeland squad that was looking to get back on track.
After going into halftime tied at 1-1, just one swing of Daniella LoBue's foot changed the entire course of the game. Her 25-yard shot whistled off the right post and into the net in the 45th minute that helped second-seeded Clifton get back to county final with a 3-1 victory over No. 3 seed Lakeland in the Passaic County semifinals Saturday at Wayne Valley High School.
“We weren't playing our brand of soccer in the first half and we had to step it up in the second half,” said Clifton's Brittany Morales. “We were disappointed in how we lost in the county final last year. That really motivated us to get back there again this year.”
Clifton handed Lakeland its first loss of the season less than two weeks ago and grabbed an early lead when the two teams met again on Monday. Marisa Ale ran onto a long ball from Olivia DeMuro, collected it and then slipped a shot from inside the top of the box into the lower right-hand corner for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
For the remainder of the half, Lakeland had more scoring opportunities before using sheer hustle to net the equalizer. A long free kick from Kiley Gormley was misplayed in the box by several Lancers that appeared to be right there to pounce on it. The ball was knocked around before Liz Kuhlman scored to knot the score at 1-1, which is how the first half ended.
Clifton came out with a ton of adrenaline to start the first half but could not sustain it after scoring the game's first goal. That was largely because the Mustangs were playing more as individuals than as a team working towards a common goal. Their style of play and a renewed sense of urgency along with the wind at their back helped the Mustangs regain control of the match.
It is rare that a player on any level can tee up a ball and hit an absolutely perfect shot while under duress. But that is exactly what LoBue did less than five minutes into the second half. Receiving the ball along the left wing, she backed towards the middle of the field and unleashed an absolute laser off of her right foot. It knuckled towards the upper right-hand corner and just inches below the crossbar the ball clanged off the post and in to put Clifton ahead, 2-1.
“That was a goal I'll never forget,” said LoBue. “I saw the top corner open and I had space so I just took the shot.”
Clifton dominated possession throughout the second half before putting the game away in the game's closing minutes. Morales headed a corner kick from Mariana Jaramillo off the crossbar and it dropped straight down over the goal line. It was not initially called a goal by the officials. But after a minute of deliberation, the goal was awarded and the Mustangs were onto the Passaic County final.
“I thought we had some momentum going into the second half but we couldn't hold onto it,” said Lakeland head coach Rick Capozzi. “We've seen Clifton recently and we know they are a really tough team. We didn't win enough loose balls in the second half and that's why we couldn't get any offense going.
"Throughout the game we were trying new things offensively, defensively, and in net to create a spark. Them scoring so quickly in the second half though I think took a lot out of us emotionally.”
Cindy Espinal finished with three saves and sweeper Meghan Sekanics anchored the defense for Clifton (13-2).
Freshman Sarah Deighan came on in the second half as a substitute and finished with a game-high six saves for Lakeland (9-4-1).
Clifton will get its long-awaited rematch next Saturday when they face top-seeded Wayne Hills, a 3-0 winner in the other Passaic County semifinal yesterday over Wayne Valley with the the county title on the line. That game will be played at noon at Wayne Valley High School.
In last year's title game, Wayne Hills dominated right from the opening whistle and never took its foot off the gas. This time around, the Mustangs feel they are more prepared mentally and are excited for the challenge that is ahead of them.
“We have been working hard to get back to the county final and we're excited that we're finally here,” said Clifton head coach Konrad Kruczek. “I thought we played under control throughout the second half, played to feet, and used the whole field. Daniella scored a great goal and that got us back to playing our game.
"We have a tradition of going far in this tournament and we want to keep that tradition going. We'll have to minimize our mistakes if we want to be county champs. It will be a tough game next week but we'll be ready.”
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