There was nervous excitement in the air on Saturday afternoon as the Cranford Girls Soccer Team was making their final preparations before kickoff against Scotch Plains Fanwood in the semifinals of the Union County Tournament. Both teams had their eyes set on a berth in the finals, but would have to secure a victory first.
The whistle blew and play was underway. For the first 10 minutes of the game, both teams felt each other out, settling into the game with no great chances for either team. However, as the nerves seemed to vanish, both teams began to show how they had gotten to this point. With about 25 minutes to go in the first half, Scotch Plains began to generate the first quality scoring chances of the game, keeping the ball in the Cougars end and forcing goalkeeper Vanessa Kelly to make several strong saves, most notably a leaping save on a shot from distance. After absorbing the Raiders’ pressure, it was time for Cranford to generate some chances of their own. With just under 20 minutes to go in the first half, Sophomore Olivia Flores fired a rocket from just outside the penalty area beating Kendall Kelly, the Scotch Plains goalkeeper and propelling the Cougars in front. With under five minutes in the half, Cranford was able to fend off a Scotch Plains attack, defending a corner and free kick perfectly and taking the one goal lead to the break.
Adjustments were made, speeches were given, and then it was time to resume, and, in 40 minutes, find out who would play for the Union County Title. With an injury to the Scotch Plains goalkeeper, Jenna Lourenco was sent into the game, and was forced to be on her game. As the second half progressed, the game’s pacing only seemed to become more and more frantic, each team trading scoring chances as the ball would make its way into one team’s end, and then, immediately, go into the opposite direction. For Scotch Plains, the task became trying to find a way through the Cranford defense, but defenders Erin Walsh, Elena Amitie, and Claire Gregersen had the back line locked down all game. In the few instances where Scotch Plains broke through the defense, they couldn’t get through Vanessa Kelly. Kelly was fantastic all game, making great saves, allowing no rebounds, and constantly beating Scotch Plains attackers on long passes. The performance was good enough for 11 saves, adding to her career total of over 300. As the clock slowly began to tick, Cranford refused to cave in. Lexi Nofi, Sarah Suh, and Isabella Reibarkh did a great job of helping to relieve pressure and bring the ball into Scotch Plain’s side of the field and running out time. The ball never seemed to stay in the Cougars box for long periods of time, and when Scotch Plains did advance the ball, the defense was ready, clearing away and not giving Scotch Plains any great chances. The horn sounded and the Cougars sideline was brought to pure elation.
“When we started Summer Workouts, we knew that we had something really special,” said head coach Kerry Yorkanis. “Their team chemistry on and off the field, I’ve genuinely never seen anything like it.” The win has brought Cranford to a fantastic record of 11-2-1, their most wins in 4 years with several games still to go.
Cranford will play in the finals of the Union County Tournament next Saturday where they take on an undefeated Westfield team who escaped their semifinal by besting Arthur L Johnson (Garwood and Clark High School) by a score of 1-0. The game will be held at 5:00 at Nolan Field in Clark. “Westfield as always is a great team, but I think our team knows what it takes to go out there and give them a competitive game,” Coach Y said. Cranford will look to shock the county and make a great season even more special.
