9/5/08 - Result Blair 1-1 Belvidere (scrimmage)

 

Blair opened the scoring before the 10th minute with a headed goal by Zak Aikens from a corner kick by Matt Socha.  The corner kick was set up thanks to some enterprising work by Nic Graber up front who had a terrific game, making some excellent runs both with and without the ball.  The midfield duo of Matt Socha and Yale Kim played well, creating some terrific opportunities.  Just after the half Blair had a good spell of possession thanks to some excellent play by Eliot Parauda in midfield and were awarded a penalty when Dennis Lee was tripped just inside the box.  Eliot Parauda took the penalty kick but was denied a goal by a great save from the Belvidere keeper.  Although Blair conceded a goal late in the game, the team played well in front of Calder Powell in goal who had a solid game and made some excellent saves.

 

9/8/08 -  Blair 2 - 0 Lenape Valley (scrimmage)

 

With goals from Yale Kim and Philip Alvarez-Correa, Blair cruised to a comfortable victory against Lenape Valley.  Yale Kim's powerful shot was deflected into the goal for Blair's opener, and Philip Alvarez-Correa scored after receiving a well judged pass from Luke Parauda on the right flank and beating two defenders before hammering his shot into the top of the net.  Once again, Nic Graber had an outstanding game up front, creating a number of goal-scoring opportunities and proving to be a real handful for the Lenape Valley defense.  Blair's back four, led by Zak Aikens, played a composed and disciplined game and proved too much for the Lenape offense.  Goalies Calder Powell (first half) and Ricardo DeZulueta (second half) ensured the shut out with some fine saves. 

 

9/13/08 - Blair 2 - 0 Phillipsburg

 

Blair lifted the Friendship Cup for the second year in succession with a 2 - 0 win over rivals Phillipsburg.  After a slow and unpromising start by both teams, Nic Graber scored on a breakaway, handling the pressure deftly and tucking the ball into the back of the net in fine style.  Just ten minutes later, Yale Kim scored on a defensive mix-up, taking advantage of space in the Phillipsburg box.  For most of the rest of the game, Blair absorbed the growing Phillipsburg pressure though Calder Powell in goal never looked unduly troubled by those balls that did make it through Blair's defense.  Once again, Zak Aikens performed well at the back for Blair as did Tom Niemann.  On the flanks, Neil Zimmermann and Elliot Parauda worked tirelessly on both offence and defense, as did midfield substitute Billy Klein. 

 

9/17/08 - Blair 0 - 3 St. Benedicts

 

Despite a lop-sided scoreline, Blair produced a tremendous defensive performance against one of the top high school teams in the country.  Calder Powel in goal made several excellent saves to foil and frustrate the St. Benedicts offence, who only managed to find the net twice (Blair conceded an own-goal in the second half).  In addition, the back four--Brandon Hardman, Zak Aikens, Tom Niemann, Chadd Clairmont--played a tight, disciplined game and were ably supported by the efforts of central midfielders Yale Kim, Matt Socha and Elliot Parauda. 

 

 

9/20/08 - Blair 0 - 1 North Warren

 

The traditional local "derby" match played under the lights at our neighbors, North Warren, proved to be a tough battle of attrition, which was finally settled by an unfortunate own goal late in the game.  Neither side could muster up decisive offensive pressure; however, a great deal of credit should go to the Blair defense who once again demonstrated their discipline and resilience.  As the game developed, Blair began to take control of the midfield, thanks to Yale Kim and Matt Socha, but neither of them could break the deadlock, until the defensive error gave North Warren victory.

 

9/24/08 - Blair 1 - 2 Rutgers Prep

 

Rutgers Prep established a 1 goal lead prior to half time.  Despite a change in formation, however, Blair was still unable to respond and conceded a second goal deep into the second half.  The second Rutgers Prep goal shook the Blair team out of its somnolence and the ensuing 15 minutes saw Blair take control of the game.  With five minutes left, the Rutgers Prep goalie conceded a penalty for a foul on Neil Zimmerman, and Zak Aikens confidently stroked the ball into the back of the net.  In the final five minutes, Blair came close to equalizing on at least two occasions, but the elusive second goal never materialized.

 

 

9/26/08 - Blair 1 - 2 Newton

 

Blair defended well throughout the first half, frustrating a talented, well-organized Newton team.  However, it was Blair that went ahead early in the second half thanks to a goal mouth scramble and good composure on the part of Zak Aikens.  Unfortunately, shortly after establishing a one goal lead, Newton was awarded a penalty for a clumsy foul on the edge of the box.  The resulting penalty kick tied the game, and it wasn't long after this event that Newton won a free kick on the edge of the goal area and converted the set piece into a well-taken goal and a 2-1 lead.  As the clock wound down, Blair sensed the urgency but was unable to score despite some great possession in midfield by Matt Socha and Yale Kim. 

 

10/1/08 - Blair 0 – 0 Wallkill

 

I know many Americans will scratch their heads in puzzlement at the following statement, but the simple fact is that Blair and Walkill played a thrilling draw Wednesday under the lights.  The end-to-end nature of the game meant that both teams were defending and attacking hard.  Blair made a slight change to their line-up, pushing midfielder Matt Socha up to striker; outside middies, Elliot Parauda and Billy Klien, picked up his duties in midfield and played admirably.  Defensively, Zak Aikens had an outstanding game, as did his central defensive partner Tom Niemann.  Both Blair and Walkill produced some good opportunities on goal, with Yale Kim late in the second half hitting a rocket of a shot that ricocheted off the inside of the post and bounced back into play.  Despite maintaining a high tempo throughout regulation time, both teams still found enough energy to produce two exciting ten-minute extra-time periods.  However, both teams seemed to be equally matched and niether could break the deadlock. 

 

 

10/4/08 - Blair 0 - 2 Mercersburg

 

Soccer can be both exhilarating and frustrating, and the Mercersburg game demonstrated that truism perfectly.  Blair produced perhaps one of its best performances of the season, defending spectacularly and controlling the game in midfield, and in this writer's estimation, they were the better team on the day.  Again, the back four, led by Zak Aikens, had a tremendous game, as did Matt Socha up front and Yale Kim in midfield, until an ankle injury compromised his mobility.  However, the capricious nature of the footballing gods is such that two set-pieces for Mercersburg, right in front of goal, produced the two goals that ultimately gave Mercersburg the victory on the day. 

 

 

10/7/08 - Blair 0 - 0 MKA

 

While the Blair players were understandably frustrated by their inability to convert several goalmouth scrambles and some good opportunities, they can, nevertheless, take comfort in a commanding performance that underscored their ability to play as a team.  Blair defended well, obliging Calder Powel to demonstrate his prowess in goal on only two occasions.  For the most part the midfield--Yale Kim, Billy Klein, Elliot Parauda, Neil Zimmerman, Dong Kim, Jin Chung--dominated play and caused no end of mischief in MKA's defensive third.  The Bucs will face Hun (3-5-3) this Saturday.

 

 

10/11/08 - Blair 0 - 1 Hun

 

Blair played perhaps their best game of the season against a talented, well-organized Hun team.  Defensively, as has been the case most of the season, Blair played well as a team, getting back behind the ball, organizing themselves into an effective defensive shape and frustrating a quick Hun team who took every opportunity to push players forward.  Calder Powel had an excellent game in goal, making some wonderful saves, but ultimately, Hun wore Blair down and with about 15 minutes left in the game scored the decisive goal.  Despite another loss, Blair looked much more threatening going forward, thanks to Matt Socha's tireless efforts on the front line, and produced more goal-scoring opportunities than in any game prior to this one.

 

 

JV Mid-season Recap

 

The JV Boys soccer team has been improving steadily this fall on both sides of the ball.  After difficult loses against two skilled teams (St. Benedicts—twice!—and North Warren) the Bucs have rebounded to play their best soccer thus far, battling a very good Newton team to a draw and beating Montclair Kimberly Academy  and the Hun School by a combined score of 10-0.  Most pleasing to coaches Parauda and Dorelien has been the improved play of the defense, with Charlie Wynn’s toughness complementing the ever-growing competence of Robert Britt, Troy Dundas, Dom Margiotta, and Amory Weld.   Celil Cavusoglu has also boosted his confidence and work ethic to emerge as the team’s goalkeeper, providing some solid play in net and a renewed sense of urgency as the Bucs hit their stride.

 

In the midfield, Joseph Frick has provided a surprising scoring lift as well as some tenacious defense, and Luke Parauda has emerged as the team’s playmaker.  Also encouraging has been the increasingly impressive play of Chris Brady, a dangerous outside midfielder who has displayed skill and grit on the field.  These three players provide the team’s tactical backbone, assisted by the increasingly important contributions of the Charlie factor (C. Corio and C. Peskowitz) as well as Gareth Evans and James Lieb.

 

Offensively, the midfielders’ confidence in leading scorers Min Woo Kim and Kevin Erb has proved well founded, as both players provide a real threat offensively that will blossom as the team continues to realize its potential.  Also contributing at the forward position has been Liad Herrick (2 goals) and Soomin Lee, two players who bring different skills yet a definite lift when called upon.

 

The JV team looks forward to the heart of the season as they travel for consecutive road games in Princeton before ending the season with four straight home games, including a rematch against North Warren and the penultimate showdown against a capable Peddie team. 

 

 

10/15/08 Blair 0 - 2 PDS

 

Blair began the game without enthusiasm, and the dreaded "bus-leg" syndrome prevailed well beyond the first half.  Despite some refreshing performances by a number of substitutes--Travis Perlee, Dong Kim, Dennis Lee--the bitter pill of an own goal only made matters worse as Blair struggled to come back.  The team did make an attempt to overcome a two goal deficit in the dying minutes of the game, but it was a case of too little, too late.

 

 

10/18/08 - Blair 0 - 3 Lawrenceville

 

Unlike the mid-week game, Blair brought commitment and enthusiasm to the challenge of a talented, well-disciplined Lawrenceville team.  Despite the somewhat lop-sided scoreline, Blair played some of their best soccer this season, controlling the ball and the run-of-play for sustained periods throughout the second half.  Ultimately, however, Lawrenceville's size and skill prevailed, and a third goal late in the second half eliminated any hopes of a comeback.

 

 

10/22/08 - Blair 1 - 3 Hun

 

Once again, Blair played Hun tightly through the first half of this state quarter final game and created some good scoring opportunities, but it wasn't until Zak Aikens stepped up to take a direct free kick from 25 yards out that Blair got on the score sheet. Zak struck the ball cleanly and drove a low dipping drive into the bottom corner of the Hun net to tie the game. Unfortunately, Hun's organization began to pay dividends in the closing minutes of play, and they were able to convert two more opportunities to create a scoreline that didn't truly reflect the close nature of the game.

 

 

10/25/08 - Blair 2 - 3 Hill

 

A goal for Hill in the last 30 seconds decided a game that saw some of Blair's best team play this season. Everyone on the field, from starters to substitutes, deserves a pat on the back for a tough, gutsy performance in terrible weather conditions. One striker scored all three of Hill's goals, but for him, the teams were evenly matched with Blair having sustained periods of success and at one point taking a 2-1 lead. Calder Powel had a tremendous game in goal, making some excellent saves, including a one-on-one effort to deny an almost certain goal. However, despite playing a disciplined, well-organized game, Blair once again tasted the agony of defeat.

 

10/29/08 - Game article not yet available.

 

10/30/08 - Blair 0 - 1 North Warren

 

For the second time this season, Blair played North Warren and came out on the wrong side of the scoreline.  The North Warren team has matured since the early season fixture, and their mixture of speed and athleticism gave them the edge under the lights.  Calder Powel had an excellent game in goal and, quite frankly, single-handedly limited the damage to just one goal with some superb goal-keeping.  Tom Niemann and Chadd Clarimont worked well together in the middle of the defense and were called on frequently to clear the ball out of the backfield.  Blair will have to wait till next year to exact revenge upon our cross-town rivals. The boys look forward to facing Morristown Beard on Wednesady before facing rival Peddie on Saturday.

 

 

11/2/08 - Game article not yet available.

 

11/5/08 - Game article not yet available.

 

11/8/08 - Game article not yet available.