Edward P. Dittmer (Hershey, PA)
Coach Bob Lilley had to leave Hersheypark Stadium feeling pretty good after Saturday nights 3-0 victory over the Raleigh Capital Express. True, their opponents were one of the weaker teams in the A-League this season. However, the offense has also shown signs that it is starting to gel and create opportunities. Ze Roberto finally looked solid in central midfield, creating chances and helping control the tempo of the game for Hershey. Simmonds and Mitchell not only received good service up front, but finished off their chances as well.
The first half should have ended with a Hershey lead. Raleigh was saved by the excellent work in goal by Alex Deegan. Time after time Deegan was forced into diving saves as the Hershey offense ran through the porous defense like water through a sieve.
With Cesi Colasante back in the starting lineup as a withdrawn forward, the Cats tore into the visitors from the start. Mitchell, Simmonds, Colasante, and Ze Roberto peppered the Raleigh keeper throughout the half. The added advantage of having their offense working on all cylinders was that the defense felt less need to push forward in the attacks. Marinos and Henning made fewer runs and were able to help shut down the Raleigh attacks. The few chances that Raleigh did create were off of defensive blunders by Mike Williams and a troubling inability to clear loose balls in the box.
In the second Hershey picked up where they left off. Greg Simmonds twice nearly opened the scoring in the 47th as he shot off the post, then took the rebound and grazed the top of the crossbar.
Mitchell, however, would make no mistake in the 51st, when he ran into the box, then smoothly dribbled around the keeper and put the ball in the net for a 1-0 lead.
Hershey, to their credit, never slowed the pace of the attacks. In the 63rd, Ze Roberto stole the ball in the Raleigh end and only needed to pass to Simmonds who was free in the area. This time Simmonds would easily slot it home for a 2-0 lead.
Mitchell closed out the scoring in the 85th when defender Mike Henning made a brilliant run down the far side and crossed right onto Mitchell's head. Hershey's scoring leader would send it past the keeper for a 3-0 lead.
Hershey has a lot to feel good about after this game. Rich Sletvold has emerged as a solid keeper. So solid, in fact, that Hershey released former starting keeper Mike LeBerge this past week. The midfield, while still experiencing some mis-communication, is becoming a more cohesive unit around Ze Roberto. Mitchell and Simmonds are scoring goals with regularity. If they can maintain their current offensive trend while strengthening the defense, this team can make a run at the playoffs.
Attendance for the Father's Day clash was 6,280 as youth soccer teams from Southeastern Pennsylvania and Central New Jersey were invited to take part in pre-game festivities.
