Juvenile Gryphons shut out BHS in soccer season opener

By Scott Spector

 

On September 16 the Selwyn House Juvenile soccer Gryphons met Beaconsfield High School on the Bisons’ home turf and scored a 3-0 shutout in their first game of the season.

 

Coach Alfie Paoletti amped the team up by outlining three objectives the team was to work on for that game. The first was to play determined and “ground-out” soccer. The second was to be respectful and humble to the home team. The third was, of course, to win.

 

The Gryphons took up the challenge by scoring a goal early in the first half. Michael Starnino sent a perfect corner kick straight into the pile. A scramble ensued for possession of the ball and, luckily, Jack Little came out with the ball and scored.

 

Not long after, Roy Chahrouri made a highlight-reel pass to set up Greg Vasilogianis’s patented volley. The well-placed shot slipped between the goalie’s hands and into the upper portion of Beaconsfield’s net. The first half ended with Selwyn up 2-0.

 

Coaches Paoletti and Peter Govan stressed that the team should continue their hard work and keep their integrity. Both teams came out of the gate strong and played the second half of the game was at a much faster pace. Subbing in and out, Jules Gagnon got used to his new role as a midfielder, executing a twilight pass that elicited a “woah” from both benches.

 

Midway through the second half, Jay Cole got everyone to jump out of their seats. A hard through-ball pass by Sammy Lamanuzzi allowed Jay Cole to use his speed to burst past a defender. Just as the ball was about to roll out, Cole wound up his left foot and absolutely drilled the ball from an incredible distance and nearly impossible angle.

 

Silence supervened while the ball was in the air and dipped down. Selwyn’s bench exploded with pure jubilation as the ball made contact with the lower right corner of the mesh. GOAL-ASO! The game ended soon after that magnificent wonder strike with Selwyn having blanked Beaconsfield 3-0 in the season opener, making Selwyn goaltender Matt Millot’s job easy.

 

It is a sign of good things to come for the Gryphons.

 

Goals: 

Jack Little (1). Assisted by Michael Starnino (1)

Greg Vasilogianis (1). Assisted by Roy Chahrouri (1)

Jay Cole (1). Assisted by Sammy Lamanuzzi (1)