MonroeWoodbury defeats Washingtonville for the second time this year

On a cloudy, overcast Monday afternoon, Oct. 7, the Crusaders hosted the Washingtonville Wizards in a nonleague varsity boys soccer match.

The Crusaders entered the game with a 722 record on the season, having defeated Middletown last Thursday 40. They had beaten the Wizards 32 when the two teams met earlier this season.

The Wizards entered the game with a 45 record.

The Crusaders controlled the play of the game during the first 20 minutes, keeping the ball in the Wizards' end of the field. But shot after shot sailed wide or high.

The Crusaders finally broke through when Jesse Schwartz made a brilliant sliding tackle to steal the ball and passed it to Connor McSherry, who drilled it into the Wizard's net from 10 yards out.

Then with 1:15 left in the first half the Crusaders struck again. This time McSherry led the speedy Owen Kelly with the ball and broke down the far sideline to beat his defender. Then he launched a quick shot into the Wizards' net to put the Crusaders up 20 at the half.

The Crusaders added to their lead half way through the second half when Petro Klish hit McSheery with a nice cross and McSherry banged it in to give the Crusaders a 30 lead.

At that point it began to rain and the game took a sudden turn. The Wizards came alive and pushed the ball into the Crusaders end. With four minuets left in the game they scored. And then a minute later the Wizards scored again.

Suddenly, with three minutes left in the game, the Crusaders led 32.

With time running out, the Wizards had a breakaway and Crusader goalie Joe Badalamente came flying out and saved the game by making a diving save.

The Crusaders' 32 victory brings their record to 822 on the season.

Their next game will be on Friday when they travel to Pine Bush to face the Bushmen.

 William Dimmit