Each week brings new challenges for SSFAC in the Majors Division, and the coming weeks will only get tougher, but so far so good. South City got goals from 4 different players including a brace from Blair Smith to lead them to a 5-2 win over PCC in Half Moon Bay. SSF relied on what has worked so well for them this season, a stubborn defense, a smothering midfield, and a front line that finishes their chances. From the opening whistle, South City seized control of the match as the relentless push of the midfielders kept PCC off the ball, not allowing them to start any kind of attacking flow or chemistry. Meanwhile SSF pushed forward and put pressure on the PCC defense which earned them a free kick just outside the area. Smith's shot deflected off the defensive wall into the path of Leandro Monteiro who ripped it into the far upper corner for an early 1-0 lead. Soon thereafter, Jack Orr carried a ball up the wing and sent a perfect pass to Monteiro, who in turn slotted it to Smith. Smith took a step to his right and drilled home a beauty to up the lead to 2-0. Late in the half, Scott Ellis won a ball outside the area and his push forward drew the PCC defense at him. He worked his way past a few players before provided a great through ball for Smith to finish, giving SSF a 3-0 halftime lead. Knowing that PCC would come out hard in the 2nd half to try to get back in the game, South City needed to again establish early control and look for a way to put the game away. It didn't take long as captain Bobby Quinlan hit a blistering shot from about 35 yards out that sailed away from the reach of the PCC keeper and into the upper right corner to essentially put the game out of reach at 4-0. The final tally came from Alex Jackson, who after a suffering a season opening hamstring injury, got some significant playing time and made the most of it as he picked up a defensive mistake on an outlet pass from the PCC keeper and calmly deposited it into the back of the net. Jackson also had a rocket of a shot saved by the keeper to show that he is healthy and ready for more.
The defense was again outstanding in this match as Paul Pavich, Scott Ellis, Ali Ibrahim & Reuben Wartens closed off every opportunity. PCC could only manage 8 shots, putting only 2 on target, one coming from a penalty kick from a foul inside the area, and another off a goal scored on a put back after a nice clearance from keeper Adrian Monroy. The midfield play of Omar Nawabi, Shane Kutaka, Jack Orr, Robbie Cuda & Quinlan completely took PCC out of their game. They worked for every ball and set the tempo for the entire match with their constant hustle and work rate. PCC rarely were able to string together more than 2 passes. The forward line of Smith, Monteiro, & Jackson gave the defense fits as they seemed to be every where on the ptich. Next week the task gets even harder as SSF meets Harmonie at Aragon High School in San Mateo
Each week brings new challenges for SSFAC in the Majors Division, and the coming weeks will only get tougher, but so far so good. South City got goals from 4 different players including a brace from Blair Smith to lead them to a 5-2 win over PCC in Half Moon Bay. SSF relied on what has worked so well for them this season, a stubborn defense, a smothering midfield, and a front line that finishes their chances. From the opening whistle, South City seized control of the match as the relentless push of the midfielders kept PCC off the ball, not allowing them to start any kind of attacking flow or chemistry. Meanwhile SSF pushed forward and put pressure on the PCC defense which earned them a free kick just outside the area. Smith's shot deflected off the defensive wall into the path of Leandro Monteiro who ripped it into the far upper corner for an early 1-0 lead. Soon thereafter, Jack Orr carried a ball up the wing and sent a perfect pass to Monteiro, who in turn slotted it to Smith. Smith took a step to his right and drilled home a beauty to up the lead to 2-0. Late in the half, Scott Ellis won a ball outside the area and his push forward drew the PCC defense at him. He worked his way past a few players before provided a great through ball for Smith to finish, giving SSF a 3-0 halftime lead. Knowing that PCC would come out hard in the 2nd half to try to get back in the game, South City needed to again establish early control and look for a way to put the game away. It didn't take long as captain Bobby Quinlan hit a blistering shot from about 35 yards out that sailed away from the reach of the PCC keeper and into the upper right corner to essentially put the game out of reach at 4-0. The final tally came from Alex Jackson, who after a suffering a season opening hamstring injury, got some significant playing time and made the most of it as he picked up a defensive mistake on an outlet pass from the PCC keeper and calmly deposited it into the back of the net. Jackson also had a rocket of a shot saved by the keeper to show that he is healthy and ready for more.
The defense was again outstanding in this match as Paul Pavich, Scott Ellis, Ali Ibrahim & Reuben Wartens closed off every opportunity. PCC could only manage 8 shots, putting only 2 on target, one coming from a penalty kick from a foul inside the area, and another off a goal scored on a put back after a nice clearance from keeper Adrian Monroy. The midfield play of Omar Nawabi, Shane Kutaka, Jack Orr, Robbie Cuda & Quinlan completely took PCC out of their game. They worked for every ball and set the tempo for the entire match with their constant hustle and work rate. PCC rarely were able to string together more than 2 passes. The forward line of Smith, Monteiro, & Jackson gave the defense fits as they seemed to be every where on the ptich. Next week the task gets even harder as SSF meets Harmonie at Aragon High School in San Mateo