Match Highlights

Wildcats Futbol Club
est. 2003

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Match Highlights

vs. Emeralds

NJSL League Game 8 - 11/9/08, Parsippany, NJ. After two tough weeks of play, the WFC were hoping to get their season back on track and fight back into the win column. What started out to be a very flat 1^st half for the club, they would still net 2. The club went down early 1-0, even though dominating the possession and attacking chances at goal. From some help of stopper M. Cobb who was crashing net on an offensive threat, he would blast a rebound after the ball deflected from the cross bar. Bringing the club even to 1-1, it wasn’t long before the Emeralds would strike again as GK Quattrocchi misjudged a skipper through his hands. The Emeralds took the game to 2-1 lead. But before the half would close, Hollens would finally find corner netting from just outside the 18, bringing the game even.

The Cats knew they had to get their composure back to take control of this game. There was no reason the Emeralds should have been even with 2 with the great performance of the Cats Defense. With guns blazing, the club clicked together and went on a 2^nd half scoring rally. The WFC played calm and composed as they would find the feet of midfielders and forwards running onto the ball taking every chance at goal they could. A total team effort would take the game to 7-3 with goals from Brinkofski, Kitson, McComosikie, Hollens (2), Cobb, and the final punishing blazer from Dasilva that sent the Green Emeralds packing.

It was just a matter of time before the club finished their opportunities at net, and with the help of a strong 2^nd half, they made their chances count.

vs. Union Ukrainians

NJ State Cup RD 1- 11/2/08, Union NJ. It was another tough Sunday as the club would face off to a GSSL Semi Pro Union Ukrainians team in the State Cup. Not indicative of the way the game was played, the Ukrainians would come out on top by a score of 3-0. Their 3^rd goal coming by way of a PK late in the 2^nd half. The Cats plugged away all game and had great chances, but fate would not be on their side as they watched their State Cup chances disappear. They just couldn’t put anything past the Ukraine’s keeper, and there were plenty of chances. He robbed Hollens’s shot from a few yards out in the first half, and stole the show as he saved a blistering header from R. Depiero as he was crashing inside the box.

The play was back and forth through both halves as both sides made use of counter attacks on the short and narrow field. It wasn’t the best of fields either, as players continually lost footing in the soft pitch. One of the corners was so bad, the teams couldn’t even take corner kicks there due to the pond like mess. A good fight from both sides, and an unlucky result for the WFC.

The Cats will look to bounce back at home this Sunday as they face the Emeralds in NJSL action

vs. Startime

NJSL League Game 7 - 10/26/08, Ramsey NJ. Game 7 for the Wildcats would not turn out in their favor. From bouncing balls across the box that couldn't be finished, to losing grip from the softness of the pitch, the Cats would fall out on a 2-1 loss. The passion was there, and the fight could be seen, but the club couldn't seem to catch the advantage.

The first half was physical as both teams held even until a WFC goaltender Quattrocchi would block an outside shot and pop up a rebound. Instead of popping over the goal and out of bounds, it would hang around and find its way into the net. As Startime went up 1-0, the Cats weren't ready to end the day. Powerful performances by Prigot, R. Depiero, Calderon, Rifino, and Steeves would keep the Startime offense at bay and hope for the club's attackers to get one back. Mid way through the 2nd half, Prigot would find Samples awaiting to strike just outside the 18. Samples would finish and bring the game back to even ( Samples is riding on a 4 goals in two games streak). Between the attacks down the flanks from Brinkofski and Kitson, the club had numerous chances to goal - but as a frustrated Hollens would see, the bounces just didn't go his way as he missed multiple opportunities in range. Kitson even felt the pain as a header would stroke just wide of netting.

Even though the attack seemed highly in favor for the Cats, it came down to one chance for Startime that finished the game. Startime forward would catch a pass and take off on a breakaway, hoping that he could cut the angle, Quattrocchi came out to face the attacker - and Dasilva was on his heels but lost his grip and slid past the Startime forward. One cut to his right and a pass into goal would end the day for the WFC's 2nd loss of the season. Startime will hold 1st place in the division, but this won't be the end of the WFC's battle as they head our of divisional play and into the 1st round of the NJ State Cup this weekend.

vs. Ramsey Rangers

NJSL League Game 6 - 10/19/08, Ramsey NJ. The Wildcats faced another tough league opponent this past Sunday. Squaring off with the Ramsey Rangers, there was bound to be some intensity from the previous history these clubs have. It didn’t take long for the club to take the lead as mid/fwd Adam Samples would start his scoring rally with a shot placed to the corner for the game’s first goal. He wasn’t done though as he would strike from the same area to find his 2^nd a few minutes later. Only halfway through the first half and the club was off to a commanding lead. It appeared the Rangers were going to change their tactics as the elbows and fouls were being committed. But fouls don’t count as goals, otherwise the score would have been 55-43. It was as if the Cats had kept the scoring alive as the first half would come to a close of 4-1. Brinkofski would find netting for one.

The WFC defense held incredibly strong throughout the match, dealt with the poor reffing, and obnoxious fouls, and only conceded 2 goals . The 2^nd half didn’t seem to calm, other than the scoring, as each club lost a man to red cards. The Rangers would finish one to close the game at 4-2 in favor of the Cats. A hat trick from rookie Samples and another goal from Brinkofski would keep the winning streak alive. Hollens must have a ghost in the closet as he found the top bar again from a header off of Henry’s free kick. With the help of the 4 goals, the Cats are able to bring their GD back up and stop atop the tables. They will face the division leading Startime this coming Sunday for a true test in the division.

vs. Oakland Strikers

NJSL League Game 5 - 10/13/08, Ramsey NJ. NJSL Game 5 may have been the most physical game the wildcats have seen this year. The Oakland Strikers gave the club a few knocks to take them off their game, but it wasn’t long before the Cats would put them in their place. The WFC defensive juggernauts played just as aggressively to show the club wouldn’t be pushed around. Mid winger, Simon Burgess, would cross a crisp one into the 18 and find forward Adam Samples running through and heading it down into goal. The intensity increased and both sides were putting their shoulders in to win the ball. The first half would close with a 1-0 lead for the WFC.

The game lost a lot of flow between the constant foul calls and Oakland making numerous subs throughout the game. At times it felt like a hockey game with full line shifts. No fists were thrown, but a few cards were handed out to both clubs with some hard tackles. And let’s not even discuss the ref….

Pushing on through the 2^nd half, Quattrocchi was holding onto his shutout with a strong defense in front of him. But 25 minutes into the 2^nd half and the Strikers would find a break as their forward chipped one over Lorenzo to tie the game at one a piece. Knowing they were playing the better game, the WFC pushed on and continued the attack – Hollens hoped for the game leader as he ripped one that shook the top cross bar. The club needed that next goal that could take the game out of Oaklands hands. With the club fighting for the win, Paul Kitson would gain an assist after a corner kick found middy Greenberg’s feet deep in the box. Greenberg buried his opportunity and the Wildcats secured the win. 2-1 WFC.

vs. Waldwick Kickers

NJSL LEAGUE CUP RD 1- 10/05/08, Ramsey NJ. Determined to avoid an early exit from the League Cup tournament like last year, the club was ready to take on the Waldwick Kickers from the Premier NJ division. With some early morning rain, the club was hoping that it would hold off enough to keep the match on as scheduled. Luckily the rain tapered, and the game was on. The Cats would prove to be on full tilt for their NJSL League Cup first round win!

Maybe some of it was due to the firing practice in warm-ups that aided to the 7 goals, or just the composure that helped the Cats attack in droves, but the goals just kept on coming. Passes were played well on the ground, and shots were finally on target. A great game for Kitson as he would notch 3. There was still some fire in the club, even after being up 4-0 middy Dasilva was still fighting for every call to be made. The Kickers had no answer for stopping the offensive threats the club would bring for 90 minutes. Even with the seven goals, don’t forget the shut out that the defensive unit helped solidify. It may have been Quattrocchi’s easiest game yet (1^st shutout of the season) as the likes of Calderon, Depiero’s, Rifino, and Cobb would hold off any Kickers’ offensive chances at goal.

The club will hope to move forward with this momentum as they head back to inter league play. They will face Oakland for the first time this Sunday. Stay tuned for news on the next round of the League Cup.

vs. Costa Rican United

NJSL US Division Game 4 - 09/28/08, Ramsey NJ. This past weekend, the Club found themselves fighting again to put shots into the goal. After plenty of chances, they unfortunately came up with a draw in game 4. As the club faced Costa Rican United, a new club to the league, the Cats were unsure of what to expect. But what they didn’t expect was an early goal after the Cats defense held solid at shutting down the United offense. Unfortunately, WFC goalkeeper Quattrocchi would misjudge a ball that would trickle under him for an early 0-1 deficit.

Though the Cats were down one, they would continue to fight and respectably dominate the remainder of the match. An injury would occur late in the half as middy Nate Lockard went in hard to tackle the ball. His ankle gave up on him and he couldn’t finish the match. Midfielder Adam Samples would sub in for the injured Lockard, and shortly contribute an assist as he laid one to Hollens’s feet just inside the box. Hollens would go on to finish his opportunity at goal to tie the game at one a piece.

What was probably frustrating for all, the club would not get the chance to notch ahead as the game would end in a draw. Worse than a 2 yr old shooting jump shots at a nine foot basket, the Cats fired scoring opportunities nowhere near the target. With all the chances, the club will need to work on their finishing to move out of their scoring slump. The club is notorious for bouncing back, so watch out as the Cats will look to make some noise for the remainder of the season! Regardless of the miss chances, the club should be proud of the hard fight.

Next up will be the League Cup qualifier and the Cats will be ready to move forward and erase last year’s history of an early exit into the tournament. Stay tuned for the league cup announcement - drawing takes place Monday night at 8pm.

vs. Kappa Real Wyckoff

NJSL US Division Game 3 - 9/21/08, Ramsey NJ. At home again, the results wouldn’t be the same this week as the club sees its first loss this season. The Cats found themselves under attack as REAL Wyckoff handed them their first loss from a 4-2 win. With the loss, the Cats season now holds even with a 1-1-1 record.

Both teams came out firing with tough play and some opportunities at goal, but it wasn’t too long before Kappa would draw first blood. What almost seemed like a dominant few minutes of Kappa possession, the WFC knew they needed to regroup and get pressure back on the ball. And it did pay off as the half drew to an end. Forward, P. Kitson, would put hard pressure on the Kappa defense causing a quick turnover and notch a beauty from 25 out! The goal was much needed, as it helped to poke some fire back into the club.

With the 1^st half ending, it was clear Kappa would have the better of possession of the half. Almost as if a different team showed up, the 2^nd half was a different story as the Cats would dominate the possession and pressure the Wyckoff team into their own half time and time again. If the WFC played for the NY Jets, they would have racked 30 points as shots were fired high over the woodwork – nothing seemed to be on target. With a few close chances; it wasn’t until N. Stokes stepped to a dead ball outside of the 18. Add another stunner to his free kick arsenal; Stokes did it again to bring the club up. It wouldn’t turn to enough though as nothing else would find its way…

It was agreed if the WFC played the same 1^st half as the 2^nd, the results would have been different. The defense held strong, the midfielders pressured high, and the forwards took as many chances as they were given. Beware to the next team that steps on Smith field, as the club will look to prove they can get the job done…..

vs. Lake Parsippany

NJSL US Division Game 2 - 9/14/08, Ramsey NJ. It was a great home opener for the club as they took on Lake Parsippany for Sunday’s match. Coming off of a 3-3 tie the previous week, the Cats were looking to bring stride back to their game and defend at home. As the game took off, it appeared as the club would have the better possession and keep the ball deep in Raider territory, but an unexpected goal by the opposition would leave WFC down 0-1. Definitely a few missed chances with shots wide, and bouncing crosses through the box, the Cats would soon square away their first goal the same way they did the week before. With a hand ball called in the box, center midfielder Nick Stokes would step up to tally the first goal of the game, 1-1. Stokes first goal of the season, it was a close one as the keeper for the Raiders just clipped it with his feet and sent it high into the netting.

The WFC would keep the attack and pressured on, finding all chances at net, but coming up short for quite some time. The Raiders would prove to put up a fight, but with the depth of the Wildcat bench, the humid day, and the strong defense, it was only a matter of time before the gates would open and the club would turn their chances into goals, veterans Brinkofski and Hollens would net 3 goals passed the Raiders keeper, follwed by a first career goal by rookie Adam Samples, 5-1 WFC. A late goal from the Raiders would not be enough as the Cats would hold their conquering 5-2 win.

The club starts off strong with 8 goals in two games, and a GD of +3. With a long season ahead, it will be a battle to stay on pace and make a run into the States and League Cup. The Wildcats will battle an always strong Kappa Real team next week at home again.

vs. Teaneck Strikers

NJSL US Division Game 1 - 9/7/08, Teaneck NJ. Playing Game 1 for the Wildcats was questionable as the rains of Hanna would cause a sloppy pitch for opening day. With 12 men on hand, the game was on and both teams showed for a Sunday match.

The field had some puddles and balls were being stopped on cross field passes, but it didn't stop both teams from a 6 goal assault on goal. The Cats would strike first shortly into the 1st few minutes of play. After working the ball upfield, Brinkofski would fire the ball into the box which caught the arm of the Teaneck Strikers defender. Hand ball was called and Kitson would step up to tally the club's first official goal of the season. After some back and forth counter attacks, Teaneck would follow with 2 unanswered goals. Hollens would later find a bouncing ball in the box after a shot and beat the keeper for a 2-2 game.

With only one substitute, the cats appeared to have heavy legs before the first half would come to an end. The defense held strong with the likes of Banana running at them. As usual, the first game takes some time to find the groove as the cats were lacking fitness and some chemistry. It felt as if the Cats had better possession and opportunities, they just couldn't seem to get lucky at net. Kitson hit the top of the bar, some wide shots from others, and another Brinkofski header from a corner that was blocked...the ball could have easily went in for a few more goals. Kitson would finish another for the clubs 3rd goal. Center Mid G. Henry slotted a pass into space for him to run onto and beat the keeper 1v1.

The Cats will look to improve their record as they face Lake Parsippany at their home field next week.