EF, TJ play to scoreless draw

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

The Thomas Jefferson and Elizabeth Forward boys soccer teams left Jaguar Stadium Tuesday night feeling a little different about their 0-0 tie. 

While the Warriors felt good about going toe-to-toe with a team in a higher class, the Jaguars were left wondering what happened.

EF keeper Austin Onofrey made 17 saves before leaving the game in overtime after a collision with a TJ player. On the other end, Alex Folino made 12 stops.

In addition to Onofrey, Elizabeth Forward (10-2-2) also had strong play from its back line. Nicholas Snyder, Mitchell Ulm, Isaac Hrehor and Gino Penascino kept Thomas Jefferson’s offense in check most of the night.

That’s an area where the Warriors have been strong all season, according to head coach Doug Finke. 

“(Onofrey) played a heck of a game today, he should be good to go (for the playoffs),” Finke said. “The back five has been a staple for us all year. I knew they would be up to the task and they came to play.”

The Warriors looked prime to win the game in overtime, firing four shots over the first four minutes of the extra period. In the 81st minute, Ethan Bowser made a great run down the sideline; however, Folino got a hand on the shot to deflect it wide.

Donovan Woytsek also had a prime scoring chance in the second overtime. A ball off the head of Jaguars’ midfielder Jordan Chiprich went backwards toward his own end. Woytsek caught up to the ball and had a breakaway, but his shot went wide right.

“We wanted to get this game over early and two overtimes before the playoffs could lead to some tired legs,” Finke said. “If we come out with that intensity for 80 minutes, I think we are on the right side of the score sheet.”

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