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Posted: 09/28/2021 21:17:13 PM
Modified: 09/28/2021 21:17:15 PM
SHARON – The Sharon Academy men’s football team started their home game against Rivendell on Tuesday with a clear plan.
Sharon head coach Blake Fabrikant knew Rivendell’s last game against White River Valley ended 1-1 on Saturday, after the Raptors dismantled the Wildcats 8-0 to start the season. He knew Rivendell players could find themselves in difficult spaces and sought to take advantage of it.
The Phoenix opened the game aggressively, and it worked. Sharon pulled away early and hung on for a 4-1 win.
“We hadn’t played for a while, we rested, we were ready to go. So we tried to hit them early, ”said Fabrikant. “We have the acceleration at the top. We were just trying to play the ball and take our chances, and when we have some, we usually finish them. ”
Sharon (5-1-0) opened the scoring five minutes into the game when junior midfielder Jack Lloyd cleared a cross from senior striker Riley Eastman and scored to the goalkeeper’s right.
Rivendell’s (5-3-1) problems worsened five minutes later, when rookie Will Knowles fouled senior Sharon Midfielder Ever Tofel in the box, giving the Phoenix a penalty. Tofel approached the penalty spot and doubled his team’s lead on a low shot to the keeper’s right.
“I choose my place before I shoot it,” Tofel said. “I knew I wanted to put him on the safe side. The main priority is to keep him on goal, because you have the advantage over the goalkeeper. You should be able to score.
The Raptors settled into the game from there. Rivendell created plenty of scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert. The 2-0 score held until half-time.
This push continued into the second half, but Sharon’s defense continued to hold on. The Phoenix made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute when Tofel played a through ball to Eastman, who finished under pressure from two defenders.
Goal and assist performance has become standard for Tofel. He has at least one point and one assist in each of Sharon’s five wins, and he now has six goals and nine assists this season.
He’s in the middle of almost everything Sharon does on the pitch.
“Ever is the glue for us,” Fabrikant said.
“It’s funny; people say ‘box-to-box midfielder’, but I literally saw him on one side score a goal on the line and then on the other clear the ball. really runs from start to finish for us.
Sharon scored his fourth 10 minutes later, as Eastman scored his second goal of the afternoon. Senior defender Jaxon Nichols provided the assist.
The brace has given Eastman 14 goals this season, and the first game assist has brought him up to 11 assists.
Like Tofel, he is one of Sharon’s most important players.
“Riley is kind of a spark, (in) getting the ball back and sneaking through people,” Fabrikant said. “His spatial awareness is incredible. ”
Rivendell didn’t stop fighting, however, and scored a goal in the 72nd minute. Raptors senior Kyle Carter made a skillful move at Lloyd and fired a laser into the upper left corner of the goal.
Fabrikant was particularly pleased with his team’s defensive effort after taking the lead. He said it’s the most organized his defense has been of all season, and he credited Nichols and junior Caleb Benjamin for their solid performances.
He loves the way his team pays halfway through the season.
“I think we still have a ways to go in terms of skills, positioning and space, but it was huge for us,” said Fabrikant. “Rivendell is a tough team and it was a pretty comfortable result, and it’s a big turning point for us.
“I feel confident enough to move forward. I like where we are. I think we can keep improving, but we’re right on target right now, so I’m happy.
Both teams will be back in action on Thursday. Rivendell will return home to face Leland & Gray, and Sharon will hit the road to face West Rutland.
Seth Tow can be contacted at [email protected].
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