Central Valley. Monroe-Woodbury opens boys soccer season with a 1-0 victory

Thursday, September 2 at Monroe Woodbury High School On a beautiful late summer day the Crusaders soccer team kicked off their 2021 season. At least for right now things appear to back to normal no more masks and and family, friends and fans are all allowed to attend.

The Crusaders opened their season at home against a very strong Section 1 Arlington Admirals team.

The Crusaders enter this season after winning the shortened spring campaign and took the Section 9 Championship for the third year in a row when they beat Pine Bush in a shootout.

The team’s line up looks strong again this year with a solid group of seniors and talented underclassmen on the roster.

The Crusaders took the lead just seven minutes into the game when Co-captain Justin Ely’s free kick from outside the box appeared to deflect off an Admiral player and into the net to put the team up 1-0.

The Admirals responded and put the ball into the Crusaders zone and controlled the ball most of the first half but the tough Crusader defense kept them off the board.

Early in the second half the speedy Crusader Ryan Guzman broke past the Admiral defense but his shot just edged wide by a foot.

From there the two teams settled into a real defensive struggle.

Again the Admirals controlled the ball and the tempo for most of second half.

But again the Crusaders defense rose to the occasion and goalie Parker Giles came up with some big saves as the Crusaders took their opening game 1-0.

Up next for the Crusaders were the Washingtonville Wizards.

- William Dimmit

Photo 1-

Justin Ely (7) scored the only goal of the game on a free kick seven minutes into the game. Photos by William Dimmit.

Photo 2-

Ethan Meyers (5) heads the ball out of the Crusaders’ zone.

Photo 3-

Crusader Jayden Jablonski (14) battles for control of the ball near midfield.

Photo 4-

Goalie Parker Giles comes up with a big save late in the game.