This weekend the Pumas traveled to Long Island to get revenge.  Earlier in the season the Knights won 2-1 on a PK.  The boys showed up focused and prepared to play.

     The first half saw keeper Brady King (BK) make a breakaway save, and catch every cross that was played into the box.  The defense was solid for the Pumas and led by Justyn Verbraska.  Justyn was in charge of chasing and shooting down the Knights forwards.  The Pumas were only able to convert on 3 shots during the first 40 minutes of the match.

     The second half was a different game.  The boys attacked the back four of the Knights and found the flanks to be a success for crosses.  While the cats stretched out the Knights the midfield play from Kevin Clark and Graeme Corrigan were able to link with Jordan Newton and Tim Hughes.  The boys were able to get of 10 shots in the second half.  The Knights keeper made a diving save of a header from John Frain with about 5 minutes left in the match.  At the final whistle the score ended up a 0-0 draw.

     The player of the match was Justyn Verbraska.

Justyn Vebraska #17

     The Pumas traveled to Randall’s Island to face Asphalt Green.  This match would decide who would finish the league in 3rd place.  With the sun beating down and the turf on fire these two teams prepared for battle.

     The game saw Asphalt Green control most of the first 15 minutes, while the Pumas sat back.  The defense was beat on a threw ball which the forward of Asphalt Green was able to finish past a diving Brady King.  That Pumas were able to control the midfield and link with the flank play from JT Yager, Devin Hilson, Jackson Dumont and John Frain who had the ability to cross balls and attack.  At halftime the score was 1 - 0 Asphalt Green.

     The second half saw the Pumas take players on in the midfield.  Now with sun in the eyes of Asphalt Green Pumas keeper Pat Touhey supplied 85 yard punts to Tim Hughes who wasn’t able to finish a breakaway.  Again Pat hit another bomb to a streaking Graeme Corrigan who was able to beat the keeper but not the defenders.  The ball was cleared off the line by Asphalt Green.  With 8 minutes left the Pumas changed formation and went for the tie.  Less then a minute later Kevin Clark was able to get the equalizing goal 1 - 1.  With the run of play the Pumas continued to able pressure and go for the win.  The only problem was that Asphalt Green wasn’t done playing either, only 45 seconds left they scored a header to win the match 2 - 1.  The game MVP was midfielder Graeme Corrigan.

      The Alleycats Pumas had many chances to score in the 1st half, but shooting at the keeper will not get you goals.  The Pumas scored on a set piece from about 40 yards out when the ball hit the cross bar and came back to Phil Weeber who was able to head the ball in the net.  The game started to become very physical.  The Jr’s were able to get on the board from a corner kick in which a back door player was able to volley the ball into the back of the net.  The score at halftime was 1 - 1.

       During the second half the Pumas were able to explode the back line of the Jr’s with balls over the top and into space.  With the play and work rate of forward Jordan Newton taking on players and delivering a cross to Justyn Verbraska who was able to put the Pumas ahead.  Not to be out done Devin Hilson also was able to get behind the back four and lay a ball of to midfielder Graeme Corrigan who also got on the board.  At the final whistle the score was Pumas 3 - 1.  The MVP of the match went to Kevin Clark for his midfield work and scoring the go ahead goal.

Kevin Clark

      The Alleycats Pumas lost to Kings Park Knights 2 - 1 at CBA on Saturday April 17th.  The first goal was scored by Tim Hughes off a corner kick, the ball landed on his foot from 6 yards out and he was able to slide it by the Knights keeper.  The Knights keeper was able to keep his team in the match with big saves.  At halftime the score was 1 - 0 in favor of the Pumas.

     The second half saw the Knights score the same goal as the Pumas, again on a corner kick.  The Pumas went ahead and ran at the Knights with shot after shot.  The run of play was had by the cats.  The only thing missing was more goals, the Knights were able to cross midfield only times in the second half.  With 1:12 left one of the Knights players was taking down in the box and rewarded a PK.  There were able to convert on the PK and win the match 2 - 1.

      The Alleycats Pumas defeated Carmel United at Union College Park on Saturday March 20th.  The Pumas had 3 chances in the first half, but the goalkeeper for Carmel was able to make 3 great saves.  Pat Touhey made 1 save in the first 45 minutes of play.  At halftime the score was 0 - 0. 

      The first 10 minutes of the 2nd half saw Carmel United attack the back line of the Pumas getting of 2 shots, but easily handled by goalkeeper Brady King.  The next 30 minutes was different the Pumas exploided the flanks of Carmel United with Tim Hughes and Tyler Jablanski crossing balls and going to goal.  Conituning to take players on Tim was able to get around a Carmel United back and draw a PK!  MVP of the game Hughes converted to put the Pumas ahead and win the first match of the season.

Tim Hughes

Andrew Doody

Justyn Verbraska

Graeme Corrigan

Anthony Crisafulli

Tyler Jablanski

Devon Hilson

Alleycats Pumas U15

Brandon Dory